Kathleen,

After hearing you describe what you had in your other dog, and would like to develop with this dog, as well as how much time you get to spend with him and he with you along with the amount of time you are willing to put into him I would REALLY suggest that you go check out a Schutzhund club around you. When done properly, the foundation training/drive building creates a very confident dog with an exceptional relationship with the handler. Just be careful, it's quite addicting. The end result is amazing, but the training itself is what has amazed me. I have learned more about canine psychology in the last 9 months than I ever thought I would. I find it very very fascinating, and to watch a good helper work a dog more "in the head" than physically is quite educational.

I am working with a schutzhund trainer but I haven't had a chance to get out there. I have only had a few sessions.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and use a little Cesar Millan dog psychology.
You have mentioned your deceased dog more than once and it seems to me that you are still emotionally attached to this dog. That is understandable to a point.
Ruger isn't Bullet and will never be. I know you understand that but maybe somewhere in the back of your mind you are comparing one dog to the other.
You have to come to terms with the fact that Bullet is gone and Ruger is here. You have to let Bullet go.
I have a 3 yr. old male GSD who is also a rescue and he has behavior issues similiar to what Ruger had. Like you, I have no idea how his life started and what kind of treatment he had but I can't worry about that because it's in the past. Because dogs live in the moment, my dog doesn't think about the past so neither can I.
My dog barks at people walking past my house and he barks when he is in my vehicle but he actually loves people. When someone approaches him his ears go back and his tail wags happily and he is very willing to be petted.
His behavior changes drastically around other animals. He goes into a 'kill' mode when he sees another dog or cat. He growls at my other two dogs if they get close to him and he is basically a growling, grumpy dog with issues.
I have contacted a behavior specialist to have my dog temperament tested but I am still waiting for a reply.
I would also like to know how your trainer 'broke' your dog. Not that I would want that for my own dog, I am just curious.

I know I am still I still hold my bond with Bullet, he went everywhere with me pretty much 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 3 1/2 years. Always will have that attachment. I know Ruger's not him and I've accepted that.

I never put any blame on my trainer for ruining him, he made him tolerable to live with. He was doing well when I was able to get to trainer once a week but then had few months off. We start back with him tommorrow. He hasn't had anymore episodes of scaredness. Took him to Pet smart last night for socializing (muzzled) but he did good. Heeled well through store only had few hicups with certain people. One plus to the muzzle is he can't snatch toys off the shelves.