I need help with an issue that has come up recently with a dog that is in training for tracking/trailing. The dog is a 1 1/2 year old pit bull/boxer/sharpei mix. Handler got it fom a humane society and was told that it had been running the streets for some time and was street smart. The handler got it into obedience and the trainer immedietly fitted him with a prong and started him on a focus program to be done along with obedience.The handler used a different language to train the dog. The handler wanted to go further with the dog because of the dog's drive. We evaluated him for drive, nerve strength, socialability and basically used the Brownell-Marsolais evaluation for evaluation purposes. The dog passed with flying colors. When we started him on tracking, we first did run aways with the handler being the object, to evaluate any handler-dog bonding issues. The dog just about turned himself inside out to get to the handler. We started him on known tracks, downwind in nature and the dog, although seemed to take in every scent, enthusiastically found the "victim". We increased length and the dog still enthusiastically found the victim. Although as we increased length, the dog immediately went to air scenting even on a down wind laid track. We are using open, low vegatation, straight tracks for training. We are into the 25th track and the dog is like a bull in a china shop. It now looks like the dog is on a mission to do something and the victim happens to be on the same route. He acknowledges the victim as he is supposed to, but something is missing in his attitude for lack of a better word. The dog is regressing and I am noticing the dog has a slight indifference to the owner. Could I have some thoughts? The handler is a law enforcement officer and wants to use the dog as SAR only.

If he seems to be regressing perhaps the tracks are too predictable or easy for the dog and he is getting bored.