I have spent many nights reading before I picked out my pup. I been waiting years to go with a GSD, and am so glad such a fine group of trainers and owners can be accessed in one place.

Perhaps most of you will cringe, but Brock came from the pound, and I have no clue of his background at 3 months old. I spent hours with him working with him, on different days, before deciding he was right for us. (Using many factors in the articles and forum)

One week settled in and the only issue is his mouthiness. He is confident, alert but not over cautious, aims to please, and was even house broke. Anyways, when he does the mouthy bit on the three year old... it's instant scruff shake. Not too harsh, but he screams and yelps like Im murdering him. Now he yelps as he sees my hand coming for him, as Im always there to catch him in progress. When he mouths any of us bigger family members... we just say a sharp no on the first time, scruff shake, if he does it again. I do not want to mentally scar this lil guy.. but I suspect he is just overreacting? He is very verbal and talks to us for everything. A woof to go out, a lil yowl to come play, a big moan just to say he's happy. I know it's gonna be a while before he gets past this, I just need to know Im OK or if Im doing somthing wrong, since I've never seen a dog act like this.

Any tips on training the 3 year old? (hehehe) Seems like I'm having better luck with the dog!

It helps to not only correct the dog for mouthing, but to then re-direct him to something he can bite, play with, and get attention with. Like a ball or stuffed animal. . .whatever. Mouthing is greeting and play, so give him another outlet for the behavior. (i.e. the toy)

Then you should also take into account the dog's temperament. . .the correction might be a little hard, try using lighter ones to see if they work just as well. A good correction uses just enough force to alter the undesired behavior. For some dogs that might just be a "no", others a "no" and a grab on the collar. . .yet others a scruff shake.

good luck

Really keep a close eye on the pup and toddler. Of course never have the two unsupervised. Watch for any posturing behaviors during play. Puppy teeth hurt so you might want to be johney on the spot when it comes to play time between these two. And remember, most pups outgrow the mouthyness, you just have to hang in there. And of course, do what VC recomends. Not to give him a swelled head or anything, but the man knows what he's talking about.

He sure does! I was being too harsh for pup. I have the obedience video on its way... but this helped tremendously in the mean time. I guess I was overreacting, and the redirection was the trick. Thank you so very much.

Pup and son are always supervised... and so far no dominance issues at all, he has adjusted into our home as if he has always been here. I cannot believe his previous owners just let him loose, and refused to pick him up from shelter. *shakes head*