Hello everyone. I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself to the rest of the board. I’ve been reading this forum for quite awhile, but recently registered so I could post.

Ed has a great thing going here…I’ve learned a ton just by reading about all your personal experiences with your dogs. I will probably have a ton of questions in the coming weeks and some may be stupid. Try not to slam me too bad, I’m here to educate myself as I feel all responsible dog owners should do.

A little background about my situation…I’ve been extremely interested in GSDs for a long time well before I owned one. I spent a lot of time reading online content and books about everything from general obedience training to Schutzhund. I was renting my house at the time and could not get a dog until I had a place of my own with a large fenced in yard. Several months ago, I purchased my first house and as luck would have it an acquaintance of mine had a GSD that he could no longer take care of due to limitations of time and space (he lived in a small apartment and rarely spent time with the dog). Lucky me.

So now I’ve had him for about 2 months and I couldn’t be happier. He has great temperament and seems to have really good drive (what do I know though). I’m planning on getting the DVD about building drive that Ed has, because it seems like a lot of you have had great things to say about it. I’m also planning on picking up the general obedience one to make sure I have all the groundwork done properly. I’ve spent some time w/ a local trainer who seems to be really good (Ed Reyes if anyone knows him). I’ve only been able to make it out there once so far, but the information I learned in that short amount of time has been invaluable. My schedule should be clearing up some in the near future, so I’ll be able to make that an every weekend thing.

Here are some pictures if anyone is interested (he is 10 months old). I don’t know a lot about his history or specific line information (American, German etc) so if any of you can help me identify what exactly he is, I would really appreciate it.

http://www.wishbin.com/nate/IMG_1964.jpg
http://www.wishbin.com/nate/IMG_1966.jpg
http://www.wishbin.com/nate/IMG_1940.jpg
http://www.wishbin.com/nate/IMG_1976.jpg


Sorry about the long winded first post, I just wanted to give everyone some background info before I start asking questions on a daily basis <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Looking forward to learning and getting to know all of you.

I'm right there with you. I visit everyday. Loads and loads of valuable info.
Handsome pup!

I would think he is a showline! Did you get any paperwork with him? He is really nice <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm still working on that. Apparently, the dog was given to my friend as a gift from his wife. They have since divorced and he is trying to get the papers back from her. That is a big part of the reason I'm clueless about what his lines are and everything else. All I really know is how old he is and the fact that he was purchased from a breeder in Colorado.

Thanks for the compliments...

Nathan,
Welcome to the board, there is no finer board in MHO, but then again you get that for free as well as all of the help from the folks on this board. Would no be to concerned about the lines of your dog, just work him to his full pontential, that is what counts, YES do get the Building Drive and Focus DVD, it will help you bring your dog to his fullness. I come on the board every day and find the information here worth its weigth in gold, as in most things you have to be careful about some of the opinions you get here (mine for sure), but when you listen to folks like Ed, Will and Cindy how can you go wrong :-). My pup is just under 6 months of age and I have followed this board since before bring him home, he is a wonderful pup and I have had no issues with him to date, mostly I am sure do to following the board and reading everything I can get my hands on. I would not worry too much about your dogs background, worry about what and where you can take him. May be an advantage to not knowing that, then you will not limit your dog.
Look forward to seeing you around the board.
Jay
Maxwell Hunter GSD

Thanks Jay, that's probably pretty good advice.