Bigcountry and Greg.
I think its better to have a dog that is to close to me than one that wander away to hunt on his own. Im sure that when you get them more used to the new and strange place, they will work better for you.

When I started training my dog to track deer I had a very light, and very expensive,silk spun line, and gosh it caused many controversies between me and the dog. It got snagged on the slightest twig or when he circled a bush. It all worked out to the best when I got a cheap plastic line that slid no matter how he circled the bushes.

MDbuckhunter: What can I say. Ill ask my wife to make an embroidery ofyour words of advice