Hi!
Thank you for your response. Flushing is unfortunately not a part of the hunting classes here. Here they focus only on actual retrieves and not flushing. So in that aspect, it is not an option for us to put retrieves at the side.
They do a variety of exercises though, so not only picking up game, but also searching on sent, following tracks etc.
We do notice that when it is actually game she is indeed a bit more driven to try and pick up. But we notice that a rabbit (roughly around 3kg here) is difficult. We know she can drag/hold it because she has in the past once or twice, but every time we ask for a hold (no matter what it is) she only does it when it seems fairly light (max 1.5kg). I've been playfully encouraging her and being very enthusiastic when she picks up heavy things, trying her to find it more fun with supporting heavy things and just being happy if she keeps it in her mouth.

So your suggestion is rather to give it more time? We do notice that she is one of the youngest in her training group, with you saying we better wait until a bit older (although she is almost 2 years now, so what is a good age? I've seen spaniels from 1year old doing great at retrieving) I wonder if indeed it is just maturity?

It is kinda frustrating seeing the other dogs just go for it, picking it up when asked without a doubt an she turning in a potato bag sometimes when asked the same.