Thanks all for the posts.

"This pup is 4 months old, many owners aspire for there dogs to be big."

Uh no, actually I don't. He turned 4 months old on August 3rd and he was 48 lbs. I haven't weighed him since but he looks like he gets bigger every day.

As an owner, I want to be able to handle him when he is fully grown and be a responsible dog owner. I am anxiously awaiting for my Ed videos to arrive!! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good news is the biting has subsided much. His back teeth FINALLY broke through so I think teething hell is about over. (thank GAWD - that was a real pain...)

He still is very fixated on my daughter. He loves her and wants to be near her all the time. Sheesh - talk about puppy love!! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

About the teething, you still have some time to go- around abou 7-8 months the adult teeth are getting seated in the mandible/maxilla, and there will be a whole 'lotta chewing going on!
As for his behaviour- it is important that pups be allowed to be pups, and get a feel for their world WITH rules. I don't ask a lot out of a 4-5 month pup- just teach the basics. AND I don't teach anything until I have allowed them to exercize a bit first. Teach him that you are a benevolent leader by giving him structure and consistency, and when you have the bond that you have cultivated, then start training upper level behaviours.

Julie thanks for your input. Yes I have rules, such as "NO, you cannot eat the cat!" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I realize he still has teething to go through, but his back ones were REALLY bad. His gums were so swollen and I knew he was miserable.

The back ones broke through this weekend so he isn't as mouthy as he was before. EVERYTHING he put in his mouth was going right to the back gums. Lots of ice and things to chew on. His favorite was a water fillable Nylabone. I'd freeze it and he'd chew on the back gums like crazy.

He gets lots of excercise. We walk 2 miles a day, play two tennis ball fetch and Frisbee.

Diana, You are walking your 4 month old GSD 2 miles a day, plus playing ball? In my opinion, you are overdoing it with him. I realize this is your first GSD & give you a "thumbs up" for being enthusiastic, but I really think you need to dial it back a little, slow down & be patient! GSD's take a while to grow up, & over exercizing a puppy can lead to a lifetime of physical problems, just as using a pinch collar on such a young pup can lead to a lifetime of mental problems. Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with pinch collars or e-collars but they have to be used correctly & with proper timing. I don't know any good GSD trainers that use a prong on a baby & a 4 month old IS a baby regardless of his size.

We don't walk 2 miles all at once. We walk twice a day: a mile early in the morning before the heat of the day, ball in the afternoon, a mile when it cools down at night. (7:30-8:00 pm). He still has energy to spare!! (he makes me very tired.) <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I had my doubts about the prong collar, but my trainer is the professional and that is why I am paying her. She has dog behavior degrees, training certifications and has been a friend of the family for 20 years. She worked miracles with my sister's 2 rescue GSD's and they are awesome, well behaved dogs.

"Let a puppy be a puppy and develop their personality, then work them on a prong at 8-10+ months old"

What about simply walking a younger dog on a prong? Just making it uncomfortable to pull on leash? I have many students whose dogs I know are not getting enough excercise because walking them is annoying. I don't teach them to use correction on these dogs (larger breeds over 4 months).

IMO the first step for you should be to educate your daughter and show her how to play with the dog, how to efectively re-direct his energy into acceptable behavior and chew toys. My experience is with Dobies, but my last pup was very similar to what yours sounds like. When your pup is all spun up and wants to bite ankles, grab one of the toys (that should be laying on the floor nearby) and move it in an erratic, prey type way--think of a rabbit or running mouse. You need to show him how fun it is to bite the toy and how boring it is to bite your ankle. One of the most difficult things about training puppies is training family mambers. by that, I mean that your daughter must do the same, otherwise he will know, and already does know, that she is more fun than any toy you may have that lays lifeless on the floor. Also, be sure she treats him in a calm manner when she pets him, only gentle stroking and lay off the rough patting and slapping type affection. In a nutshell, put the prong away for a while, and teach him where the fun is at. For the short term, if he is still chewing on you, just push him away everytime he misinterprets your hand or foot as a prey item and re-direct him. If you find you are getting fed up with him, into the crate till you and he both calm down. I know it's not easy, but it works.

hope it helps.

TJ

Didn't mean to ruffle your feathers darling. My concern is for your poor dog. I am currently raising my 6th GSD. I train my dogs in a sport called schutzhund. I rely on the expertise of many people whom I respect & have learned a lot from along the way by keeping an open mind for the past 25 years. You seem to have a rather defensive attitude, so don't worry, I won't be wasting either of ours time by responding to you any further.