MasonsBeagles wrote:could be a sign of over handling or a lack of confidence. should grow out of it.
I was thinking along the same lines. I'll try to explain overhandling first.
Last spring and summer, I was running my dogs 3-4 times a week. I hunt with my dogs close by until they jump a rabbit. While I am working them I make all kinds of noise. Once the rabbit is up, I am pretty much silent. My dogs wouldn't hear my voice again until they were in a long check, and I could catch up with them; or if I was calling them back for some reason.
When hunting season came in, I hunted them pretty much the same way. The only difference (a big difference) was that once the rabbit was jumped I would start running my mouth with my buddies; Laughing and cutting the fool. I noticed that my dogs were coming back to me, and hunting all over again. I was puzzled. I started to reflect and I observed a change in me, not the dogs.
The dogs had learn that the sound of my voice meant that they should be near by. They were only doing what I had inadvertently taught them. I quickly fixed the problem by running them solo and taking somebody with me that loves to talk. That way they learned to ignore our conversation. Check your routine to make sure your not doing anything that woud cause her to start coming back.
Now lack of confidence:
Try taking the dog (solo) to the same spot for a while. Let her hunt and venture out as much as possible. Start cutting back on the praise you give her until she doesn't pay you any attention. In fact you may have to do the same for her. When she comes back to you, just don't pay her any attention. Act as if she isn't even there. If you have a friend who knows the dog, let them run her, while you sit in the truck.
Just my 2 cents.
BeagleRun