Need some bay pen advice.

A full size puppy hog when you practice? Or is it smaller than the ones in competition? Could be an issue if the hog you practice on is smaller than the ones in competition but more than likely its just the setting.

How many competitions have you been to? Sometimes it takes a while (4-6 events) for a pup/dog to get acclimated to the competition setting. Barking dogs, crowd noise, lots of people, etc. You may want to take said pup out to public places with lots of people....kids baseball games, etc.

When you enter the pen...ask the handlers to move the hog if he just automatically sets up. When they move him...make sure pup is watching...focused on hog. The next couple events you may even want to release when the hog is moving...hoping for the prey/chase drive to kick in. That's not the wisest way to do it when your looking for a perfect score but early on it helps. There are no rules against approaching hog, again...not the wisest choice for a good score but if your pup isn't doing anything...walk up to pig...he will probably follow.

I'd just use the next few events for getting the pup acclimated...using whatever tactics necessary. Don't even worry about the score. Eventually he should work it out.

One more thing...if your hunting this pup as well...it may never work out...the woods and the pen are two different worlds.