I would shorten the track and let them find the hog and then go futher each time. JMO.
x2, Good idea. This is how I find out if I have a pup that will make a strike dog. Put the hog in the woods and then come back later with the pups and make sure they have not been running and tired. You want them chomping at the bit to go do something. Park about 150 yards from the tied hog and then turn the dogs loose and just sit there and only give the command to get ahead and then ignore the dogs. Hopefully they will get bored and range out and possibly find the hog. If they are having trouble finding the hog slowly walk to the downwind side and see if the pups will wind it and go bay. As it gets easier stage the hog further out...Right now the dogs don't want to leave you so holding back until the dogs get bored might help. One thing is to make sure the dogs know you will wait on them when they make a round and come back to check on you. After a while they will know that they can track you so their confidence level should go up and they might stay gone longer.
