1. Fact or Myth. There is no such thing as a 'big boned' GSD. I personally think this is a myth and have asked perspective buyers of my GSPs if they have ever seen a 'small boned' GSD. They all say that they have. I doubt this but may be wrong.

2. I need help finding a good link that teaches perspective owners about crate training. More importantly, if to discipline the pup who is keeping the family awake at night with crying. I told one family to let the pup alone or keep the crate near the bed. Any other suggestions?

Luckily this is the only pup acting like this. While I still have 2 pups left out of the litter to sell. I have received phone calls from 3 of the buyers who said the pups only cried one night! Yeeeehaaawww!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I've always considered the term big boned to refer to the thickness of the bones as opposed to fine or thin boned. If this is accurate there are definate differences in the thickness of the bone which can most easily be seen in the thickness of the scull. The muscularity of a dog can also contribute to it appearing big boned.

I would recomend Ed's video on whelping puppies. He has a quick section in there on crate training. I don't remember but I bet one of his puppy training videos covers crate training and may be more appropriate for new owners. Someone else on the list will probably know if one of the other videos has crate training in it. There are probably also links on this web site to crate training.

There is a difference in bone structure in different GSD's. My older male has fine bones, my pup has better bones than him already and he is only 4 months. So yes, there is a difference. Take your average run of the mill am-bred and put it next to a german lined dog. Tell me then there isn't a difference.

The crate training portion is covered on the 8 weeks to 8 months video. I would recommend it to anyone who is getting a new puppy. I have had dogs for 15 years on my own and even I learned a few things from that video. For a new puppy owner it answers a lot of questions for a little money. ($30)

I know there is a definate difference when you compare German to American...they are a completly different dog IMHO.

I have seen some dogs who have thin legs. I never did attribute that to being small boned. I suppose I should change that view.

As for the crate training and Mr. Frawley's video on pups, I did purchase it but will not lend it out to complete strangers. I have sold one pup to a friend and lent her the video. It helped her a lot. What I have been doing is giving LOTS of paperwork to each buyer. One paper shows the difference between their American pup, to the German line. Another is entitled "Puppies first day home" and another is on Crate Training (for those who are going to have them as house pets).

I have found and printed out Mr. Frawley's paper on Crate training. I appreciate it. The pup I am keeping is glued to me, and hates being in the crate. I am going according to the schedule Mr. Frawley perscribed as of this morning. So far...the pup is screaming the whole time in the crate and sleeps most of the time while out of the crate.

Ohhhhh my poor aching nerves. :rolleyes:

It doesn't last, I know that doesn't make hearing it easier now, but it will only get worse if you give in to her antics.

My pup knows now that I won't let him out if he screams... so when he hears me waking in the morning he will flip around in his crate changing positions and sighing in-between to make sure I know he wants to go out... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Buy some earplugs. Crate her when you are going out for a bit, and whatever you do, do NOT open that crate until she is quiet!!

ahhh puppies!