I have a six month old GSD, 72lbs, and all muscle. He is extremely strong and a bit much to handle for my husband and I. We are new empty nesters and my husband wants me to give him back to the breeder because he is so strong and frisky. We have the first video, and I was going to get the second one. I have invested a lot of time and money thus far but even more importantly, I really love Tinzing. At a loss somebody help me out.

If you could describe the behavior that is causing the problem I could better help you.

He is "mouthy" we pet him he wants to bite at us not a vicious biting just biting. He pulls us out the door when we open it (I have the 1st video) and know we are supposed to exit first. And he is a jumper, he is so heavy that he could knock you down. When we go out to exercise him he wants to be chased and then if we turn around he will tackle me with his body.
My husband's main complaint is not that he cant be trained he is very bright but that we dont have the time. I am a full time Graduate student starting a home based consultant business and he owns a mens clothing store. The dog is in a crate most of the day. I wanted to buy an outdoor kennel but he wants to get rid of him and considers that a waste.

With the mouthiness, you can soak cotton balls with bitter apple and put them between your fingers.

As far as the door goes, I tell them to wait, and open the door a little. When they try to rush through the door, I shut it on their head. Sounds bad, but gets the job done in a hurry.

As far as not having the time, that is your fault and I really dislike people that expect the perfect dog right out of the box. "Oh, just get rid of him" I guess I don't have the temperament for stupidity like that. There is always time, and this is a living being.

Nothing you have mentioned is that hard to get rid of. I will help as much as I can.

If you can't say Amen, say Och. Och!
But the truth shall set you free. Thanks so much, I knew that the problems were not that serious. I can make the time as I do for anything else. I really do love him and I am the one that needs to put forth the effort as much as I have put forth the money. Point well made and taken. I will take this advice serously, and Tinzing will be here with me.
NOW; what video should I get next and he needs the next size up in crates, but the Leerburg model is a little pricey for me right now.
What type of collar should I order to start training? He needs some toys that he can't destroy that I intend to order from Leerburg, but which ones and what first?
See what you started.

If you read all the posts on training, it says to repeat in short periods thru the day. I'm sure you can find 5 minutes 4 or 5 times a day to tell the dog to sit and give treat, down and treat. Once you have sit reliablely, wait a little longer before treating. Once he can sit for 30 seconds/1 minute, then move him to the door and give him the sit command and give a treat, build up to the 1 minute count. Once he has that, then move to putting your hand on the handle and saying sit, soon as the butt hits the floor treat. Work up to the minute mark, that he stays in the sit with your hand on the door handle, then start cracking open the door right as you say sit. All this time have a leach on the pup to stop him from pushing out. Repeat this every day 4 or 5 times a day in 5 minute stages. He should get it fairly fast that he won't be getting a treat OR goin out the door unless he sits til you tell him to move.
Yes training takes time, but it's mostly done in small increments, it's not like you are spending an hour several times a day with the dog. Look up on the web sight for marker training and breaking down your commands like I just typed out for the sit and opening the door. This process makes training them much faster and allows you to work in small increments of time. Being a responsible pet owner is what you promised when you got your dog. You must make the time to insure that both you and your dog can live happily together. Specially with the at home business, it's easy to have your puppy near you and give a command to sit and treat, Heck you don't even have to get up from your chair..hehe
Good luck to you.
Bev

You say you have the first video, but I don't know which is first. I didn't have Ed to help me along in the begining <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I would get his obedience tape. Never seen it, but it is working for others here.

The crate. Although I am rather disgusted with their loss of quality as of late, the Vari-Kennel is still a pretty good crate to have. Your dog is of rather rediculous proportions for a 6 month old. I would think 500 would do.

Part of the joy of toys is destroying them. Look at kongs as a good toy, and nyla-bones. If you boil nyla-bones in chicken broth till most of the water has come out, this usually gets them started. Some dogs don't need that step.

I will probably have to say in your situation, I would use a pinch for going on a walk. I personally hate them, but I am not a beginner. They need to fit tight and under the jaw.

Got it and gone. I will read the information even before my studies, tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and time. One last question on this note: should I keep him downstairs in the kitchen unattended (I know Leerburg says he will eat the cabinet, well he was really right on that one, he ate the cabinets (my fault, not his) in training lingo: "handler problem, not the dogs",
I didnt want to put him in the crate if I was right up stairs. Should I put him in my office with me? When I did he wanted to play, got no work done.
Sorry for all of the questions but I am so excited and happy that Tinzing is going to be here with me I want to do this right this time, even if I have to retrain (30 x's vs. 7 now).
You guys are great!

If you can't be with the dog, crate him. Once he has the destructo habits he needs to be kept in sight at all times when out of the crate.

Shari,
I live and work at home. My pup is 3 1/2 months and I keep him with me most of the day. I keep the crate in the house and I keep him on leash in the office and store, that way he is always in sight and isn't getting into trouble. He goes to his crate for a few hours in the afternoon so he gets a good nap without having to get up and follow me all the time. Then he sleeps in the crate at night also. We have a few short work/play sessions thru the day and a few trips outside. The little breaks are a nice break for me, too. He has a few favorite toys, a large bone, and an apple in the office and he just plays by himself or is napping thru the day. He's young and likes the soft toys best, the cloth with a squeaky, but my old dogs just love the kongs. You can stuff the kongs with peanut butter or cream cheese, keeps a dog entertained for a while. Do you take him out in the morning for a walk or to play fetch to burn off a little energy?