Help. Changed from chasing balls to birds!!!

[Eva]

Hi there,
We've been taking Malibu (who will be 2 on Valentines day) to an open park to play fetch with her tennis balls every day for over a year. Will always listen, be off leash, play with kids, be an ideal dog, no problems listening. (Has CGC and is a Therapy Dog). But today, totally ignored the ball and went after the birds. Wouldn't listen to commands to come back or to stop. My husband stopped and brought her back home. It sounds like a quick reminded of on leash commands and basic training is needed for a refresher. Has anyone else's dog's behaviors changed so drastically in a day/overnight?
And yes,, I do realize that the lab in her is going after the birds, instinctual. But 2 years to figure out there are pigeons in the park? lol Thanks for any advice

[Adina P]

How strange after such a strong history of obedience! Dunno what to tell ya! Guess some "refresher" training might help like you said.

[Eva]

So tonight when I got home from work, I took her in the yard and street in front, and she obeyed perfectly, Sat, good with all distractions, cars, me playing catch with myself with her ball while she sat and watched. She waited, stopped when told, changed directions. Who the heck knows what got into her. I"ll bet the pigeons were taunting her! lol Thanks, Eva

[Eva]

Great news! So I took Mali to the same park, played some ball, played with kids, and low and behold there was a pigeon on the ground that couldn't fly. Malibu went up to it, sniffed it, and walked away! NO chasing. I think instinctually she knew it was hurt and no fun could be had of it. She went back to it about 20 min. later and I just told her to leave it and she did. YEAH!