A huge thanks to Amber for all the help !!!

HI! And welcome...isn't Amber awesome?

What brought you to this board? Oh, wait, you have a dog!!!

Very nice pic of you guys, welcome!

Well I owned a Leerburg GS years ago and so in searcing the net found this site via the breeder I got my current dog from. I have this guy now and bring him to work with me as I am a Psychologist at a school for conduct disordered and emotionally disturbed kids. I need help bc even though we graduated from the training for service dogs and professional therapy dogs- I need therapy with this guy- he is way more active and has more drive than any dog I've ever owned . He is very sweet but a dominant type and so we have our nightly challenges. At present I'm trying to teach him not to bark when people knock on my ofice door- he thinks its the same as home so he BARKS and sounds rather imposing I might say- but not good in a school setting. He is 16 mo old. Thanks for the welcome

You owned a Leerburg GSD and the one you have now has MORE drive? Sheesh. I'm sure you have some good stories to tell us!

 Quote: Michele McAtee

HI! And welcome...isn't Amber awesome?

Aw shucks. (Michele rocks, too, btw! )

Anyway, here's my official WELCOME!! What's your dog's name again?

Well the GS I had was paired with me by the breeder, as a family dog and back then I didnt know anything about drive ...- not that I do now. He was the best dog I ever had and was from Leerburg via- a guy I bought him from that raised GS and got his from Ed. Dont remember all the specifics. But Natan was on the pedigree.
So then I go to Vom Fieldcrest GS here in Kansas bc he too has some dogs that are great and a few Leerburgs too.
I end up will Mr Hell on Wheels ( clearly great working dogs- but I just thought - oh he will be like my last ones -- but NO...,) I feel like i am raising 12 children. The first 6mo I felt like he was a parana ( not sure of spelling) and he was go go go and still is. And oh yes I have some stories. Primarily bc I had no idea what I was doing. He is really alot of Dog and probably needed a more experienced handler. I thought he would be as gentle and loving as my last gs's -- Well he is lovable but he also is a knucklehead- and not gentle- he plays rough and I have to keep him in check - ha ha - He is on the dominant,stubborn ornary side and a lot of FUN too. Not agressive just determined and strong willed. He fits in nicely at the school I work at for conduct disordered kids. This site has been most helpful to me though . I still have a lot of work to do though. Dont get me wrong - hes a great dog - its me that doesnt know what to do with all his energy. We have our evenings of walking and playing for at least 4 hours and he could still keep going. My dogs name is IAN.

Dear Stephanie; Welcome! My name is Sharon and I live in Calif.
I am sure you will get great help here!
Ian is beautiful and I can see the intensity in his eyes!!
I do not have a GSD but a terrior, two to be exact and they both are extremely driven dogs, and I can never really tire them out, I get tired and have to rest awhile. THey are always thinking, and sometimes can think themselves into trouble if not supervised. I am hoping for Christmas I will get an agility set so I can keep them a little busier. Last night I taught Bindi, who was dying for something to do, to sit up. It took her about 3 times and she got it, she even added some flair with begging motions with her pasw!! Dogs are a kick!
How wonderful to work with young people and attempt to make a difference in thier lives. Hard, heart wretching work I am sure, but well worth it!
May God bless you

 Quote: stephanie avila

I end up will Mr Hell on Wheels

Well, you came to the right place. Most of us know that feeling!

Thanks for the welcome !!!! Sharon you mentioned an agility set. I would like to aquire something like that. At present I take my dog to the lake across the street where there are a number of childens play equipment sets - you know the slides and tunnels etc... we did that for 2 hours in the snow ( blizzard) this weekend and he still wanted more ( I was freezing my ---- off). Thats the closest I can find to something similar. This dog can climb anything and is fearless. He also was trained to open doors and turn lights on and off at his service dog training in Concordia Ks. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO every now and then he gets the notion to go get his own toys out of the closet by just opening the door himself. Gotta watch this guy. You mentioned the intensity in the eyes - you got that right . Does anybody know wher you purchase agility sets- or does one make their own??? Thanks

I'd be interested in an agility set too. From what little research I did, that equipment is expensive. Guess there are some things I could put together myself, but they sure won't be regulation!

A big welcome to the forum, Stephanie, and to Ian too!