Thank you, Charlie; we get a lot of compliments on him and he is a sweet boy. I'm glad you brought up the pic protocol; this was my first attempt at posting any and I'll remember those guidelines, thanks!

In the FWIW category, at this age, the rowdy behavior is probably at it's peak. He will mature over the next few years. Eventually, he will become the "best dog I've ever had"

The obedience training will also help the destruction in the house. He will learn about my toys and your toys.

That's a definite relief! I don't mind the energy as long as I have ways to channel it properly, and I see now that I just wasn't doing enough with him. I'll be ramping up the physical activity and trying to really wear him out each day - good for him and me. Thanks again, it is much appreciated!

 Quote: Heather Sheldon

Thank you, Charlie; we get a lot of compliments on him and he is a sweet boy. I'm glad you brought up the pic protocol; this was my first attempt at posting any and I'll remember those guidelines, thanks!

Here's the forum for a bio and photo:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/155/page/1

And ob sessions can be fun and exciting. Pls don't write that off.

You have learned the hard way, Heather. Always, always, always TETHER (leash) or CRATE a new dog when not supervised, especially if it was not a house dog before. He should be on leash in the house 100% of the time until his house manners are proofed.

Exactly as someone else mentioned, he has not learned any manners. Unfortunately, he now has learned how to destroy stuff when your back is turned. Never let him have this opportunity again. Train him what you DO want (calm and relaxed in the house, chew ONLY on your toys) and if you will be going out, crate.

It can be done.

Additionally, remember that chewing is an anxiety behaviour. He is in a new home with new owners. He is a bit unsettled. It takes adult dogs about 6 months to fully and completely fit into and adjust to their new environment and pack. As he settles in and also as you modify his exercise, the chewing behaviour will naturally decrease. Just show him what he CAN chew and he will learn.

Edit: Ed has a good DVD for acclimatizing a new dog. It's called Pack Structure for the Family Pet. It's very comprehensive.

 Quote: mike j schoonbrood

The dog was a kennel dog, he doesn't know house manners, he needs to learn. Its separate from obedience training. Obedience is sit/down/stay/heel/walk on leash/come when called etc. Not "when I'm not looking don't touch anything." The dog just wasn't taught.

Exercise the hell out of him, and don't turn your back on him (crate when you can't supervise). It will take a while for the dog to learn, its not an overnight process to go from kennel dog to house dog.

the good news to that it doesn't take long with these puppers because they were already taught how to learn.

 Quote: heather sheldon

Thank you for your post, Michelle. I'm seeing immediately here that he just needs more, more, more exercise, when I thought I was doing enough - wrong. No problem there, but I wish I would have started off that way. I should have stated the "walk" part differently - we do jog in the evenings and he seems to love it. I don't mean to seem "dense", but what sort of training class would you recommend I enroll us in?

SchutzHund

 Quote: Heather Sheldon

Not sure if this will upload properly or not; the pic is from a Snapfish album and I don't know if that is a viable format for embedding photos here or not. If not, any tips would be appreciated.

http://www2.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=465655013/PictureID=13296298013/a=99917345_99917345/t_=99917345

Yep, looks like my pupper, you got a psycho bastard, life as you know it has ended

I second the Schutzhund recommendation.
I also recommend running a minimum of 5 miles daily, as well as a training sessions thrice daily, and tons of fetch.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

I second the Schutzhund recommendation.
I also recommend running a minimum of 5 miles daily, as well as a training sessions thrice daily, and tons of fetch.

I dunno about me running five miles, ball chucking and having them play hide and seek with the kids is about the most I can handle