I am disabled and have a few questions about training my dog to assist me as well as protect.

Mr. Frawley, I have spent hours and hours devouring all that is available on your website!! Totally outstanding. I am a disabled person, was gifted a pure breed GSD pup. I am doing obedience work with him. Very smart and eager to work with me. No issues thus far. Sit/down/stay/heel are all going well. He is just shy of 5 months now. I will be taking him to triple crown here in Texas when he is about 8 months old. They have a trainer there who has worked with service dog partners (not billed as SD trainer, but has experience) and they will do a one on one program until Drausi is totally trained.

I have two questions.1---Drausi went to the vet for usual checkup, I told the vet his intake was lacking and was having to bribe him to eat even boiled chicken. Well they did the usual check up and declared him perfectly well. He was at that appointment 18 lbs. In three weeks went back again for his next scheduled visit, told the vet something had to change as Drausi was just not right to me and something is obviously bothering him physically. So he did some X-rays, all clear, but his fecal test showed hook worm. We treated him with the medications and he is back to eating again. (was 32.6 lbs at that visit) Sorry to be so long winded, just want to be clear in what the issue is. Prior to his getting worms, he was a nice even dog in structure. Not fat at all, could feel ribs nicely but more thick overall.

Since the worms he is so thin, you can almost SEE his ribs most of the time. And at the withers he caves inward clearly. Looks like he was a rescue instead of a fine dog!! His parents/grandparents are the typical GSD and well defined. So not a hereditary bony thing going on. And since he was so nicely shaped prior to the worms, I assume that he is genetically not at issue. His coat is very shiny and healthy, eyes clear, nothing to indicate malnourishment. IS there anything I can do to increase his weight and fill out more?? He eats about 3 cans of Iams puppy Large breed as well as Iams dry kibble (maybe 2cups total mixed in) 2. I want to know if you think it is compatible to work with a trainer to not only have him be my service dog, but also a protection dog. Level 2 is what I was thinking. This world is so full of folks that are up to no good, for me to go out by myself in a wheelchair can be risky.3. (sorry said 2) What videos would you recommend at this time for Drausi and I to use? As I said earlier he is doing well with basic command sit/stay/down/heel/leave it/off/up I have purchased a set of books/cds called Teamwork (was written by a disabled man and his partner who both train service dogs) Of course we are refining refining refining....sit means sit no matter where, etc........that is just a matter of time and work. Both of which we can and do do! But I want to have the very best for Drausi. He is going to be giving his life in service to me, and I want to be sure we do the very best by him in all areas!! I am a bit overwhelmed on what to buy/use to continue his training. I am also interested in Schutzhund down the road. I think that it would be a fun thing for him and another thing I can do for him.So there it is. LOL. Sorry to be so long winded in my email. But as I said I want only the best for Drausi. He is a great dog, from champion lines and breeding------so the raw material is there. And he is very willing to work with me and seems to have fun training.Thanks in advance for any advice. And I read your info about suing you in your home state, that is just such nonsense, I realize you are giving the advice you give to so many on a purely take it as is basis and will not hold you to any accountability for any guidance you can offer. I can't imagine someone coming to your site and gleaning FREE EXPERT advice and tips and have the audacity to turn around and try to sue if THEY botch the job!! After all, the owner is the one who is ultimately making the choices to follow or not and thereby assumes full responsibility on the outcome with their dogs.

Deb
San Antonio Texas