[brunie's mom]

It does sound like he is not getting enough stimulation.
Instead of a personal trainer...get him into a class situation...it will help him to learn to focus...where there are other dogs around, and strange people.

To me when a dog has to resort to playing alone and making up games to amuse himself...it means that he is really bored.

Tracking is fun...and you can start doing it on your own....snow or rain. I track with my dog in the snow all winter. Just cut up a hot dog into tiny slices....go outside (without the dog) and lay a simple track with the hot dog slices. To start, every 5 strides, or so...and kind of drag your feet so that the dog can follow your smell....keep it a straight track till he starts learning how to do it...then add some turns...with a leather glove at the end containing a piece of hot dog.

I don't count on my dogs to amuse and exercise themselves...I have to work with them and excite them to get playing.

I would have him out for two 30 minute walks....in between the walks...do 10 minutes of training. Play fetch or use the tug to your advantage....your pup should understand that he must "drop it" when you tell him to. He must understand that he has to settle if he is getting too rough and rowdy playing tug. It's a good training tool...to teach him to focus.

I would also be thinking of agility training or taking a class for Rally-O....something that keeps him learning and thinking.

Gina