Abdul, you're origional post said nothing about the 10'x4' area. You said and I quote:

I have a 4.5 month old GSD, I work all day and keep him crated.

To me "CRATED" means exactly that! "CRATED"

If I had known about the 10'x 4' area in the beginning, I wouldn't have even posted. Sometimes it is worth taking the time to post more details in you're origional posting. I hope that you continue to ask questions (as I do) when you need advise. There are alot of smart people on this board.

Airowens gave you some good advise about redirecting you're pups mouthyness to other objects. Good luck.

Quite honestly I had been keeping him crated until after reading on this discussion board about how not to treat a dog did I change this. I had originally gotten bad advice, believe if it was a point of getting rid of the kids or the dog, I would have to seriously think about it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You all were a little harsh on the man....we all need a pace to learn, let this be it as there are some very intelligent and experienced handlers / trainers on this board. I must say, though, had the original post about the length of time the dog was crated stood, there would be issues. Abdul, what kind of residentail environment are you in? perhaps you may consider an outdoor run / kennel. although they can be pricey, they are worth their weight in gold. I have a situation whereas I live in the desert and have to content with rattlesnakes, black widow and brown recluse spiders, not to mention the occasional turantula. To leave my dog unattended in his kennel would eventually spell disaster, not to mention the 100 degree heat we see from time to time. The Winter is the time of year he spends the most time outside as the creepy crawlies hibernate ( as I wish I could). I have been bitten by all except the snake and it SUCKS! The vesibule may be the wisest option for you if you are in an untrustworthy urban environment. Inj so far as the ob goes.......invest in Ed's "building drive, fucos and grip with Flinks". Again, wooth its weight in gold.
As rough as some of the folks have been, please refer to this board continually, they are very well intentioned and have YOUR dog's best intrest at heart. They are very knowledgeable and the collective experience of the members can not be beat. Good Luck. Gordo.

Sometimes I am guilty of reading the posts too fast. I agree that the dog is being crated too much. I will not jump on Abdul though. Sometimes beginers come aboard and all of this protection,drive,compulsion, nerves,SAR,bitework...yady yady yada...stuff is enough to intimidate someone into not asking a question. Maybe this person has never owned a dog before...who knows? Remember, before there was a web board, people used to email Ed with basic everyday training issues. Some of the questions were good some were ridiculous(thus the birth of the "dumb and dumber" section!LOL) Really what I am trying to say is yes, I agree with what everyone said about crating the dog too long. However I hope that we don't intimidate people away from asking for help. Besides, if the topic gets ridiculous we can always count on Ed to shut her down!LOL
Anyway, I'm not knocking Glen or anyone else. You all have passed good advice. I just think that maybe sometimes we(myself inluded) can be a little rough on newcomers. I'll leave it at that as I don't mean to preach. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would never let anyone run me off the board but of course I was a little intimidated first. But I was attracted to this board by the things I had read prior to becoming a member and I know there is good advise here. I am new to a dog of this quality and want to do it right, I have had other dogs of just pet quality until a drunk guy walked right into the front door (summer day) with my mom and wife sitting in the living room with this big "beautiful" well fed rottweiller welcoming him with licks on the hand, luckly I was home to dismiss the guy. I have the basic ob tape, puppy bite work, 8 wks to 8 months. By the way once he bit into the frozen towel he totally ignored the kids and he stayed out of crate until bed time. I also started him in the 10x4 area, it is a little big I am hoping he dosen't use the bathroom in it until I can get something to block a piece of it off. I guess this is a chance to test Eds "good outside". Can someone let me know how much time per day should be spent working, ie tub, beginning bite and ob? ed does not mention time frame in tapes.

10 minutes a day for a pup or 20 minutes a day for an adult is fine. Some days more. Some days less.

I was thinking the same as Vince, just enough to keep the pups attention. Once he loses interest, take a break. At this age, you want the training sessions to be fun for the dog.

Last thing on this topic and I will get off the tit. He is extremely aggressive on the ball and towel on the string and also on this big hard ball about the size of a basketball hard plastic, sometimes he moans trying to get a bite on that thing. with the ob the setz and platz are going well I reward each instance no matter how long, but when trying the bleib how do you correct this in 4.5 month old puppy. also I am in nj very near the gwb are there any clubs near, that anyone can tell me about?

The stay is the hardest thing for puppies because they always want to be with you. But you basically just train the same way you did the sit and down. If he moves, you put him back to the original position you wanted him to stay. No praise or treat until he stays. You have to start VERY gradual, like 5 second increments! Until he fully understands what the command means, don't expect him to stay for several minutes at a time. You have to make it so he always wins the treat, otherwise he will become confused and discouraged. If he won't stay for 15 seconds, then go back to 10 seconds, etc.

I would also like to add a side note. Be careful with the hard plastic balls. My dogs were fanatics for them, and would also bark and growl to get a good grip on them. One of my dogs could get a full bite on the 8 inch ball, and another dog would manage to bite holes in the 12 inch ball so she could carry it around by her teeth. We soon noticed that their teeth were wearing down significantly <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> This also happened with our breeder's dogs, to the point that one of their dogs bottom canines had become completely worn down in a very short period of time. So we switched to very hard rubber-like balls. No problems so far.

Beth,

Thanks for the info, those balls are almost as hard as a bowling ball, good strong jaws on your dogs would hate to take a bite from them! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I also ordered Bernard Finks - Building better drive and focus from leerburg today. Can't wait to get home today to see how he made out in the large area all day.