hi there, just wanted to introduce myself - i've been lurking for a little while. sorry if this is long!

i'm jennifer, and my dog is luc, who i adopted 7 weeks ago. luc is my first dog.

luc is a 3.5 yo black GSD, maybe X, i'm not sure anymore. i was told he was a X, but GSD folks (on forums and in real life) have said they think he is not a X but full GSD. either way, he's my guy!

luc was in a shelter for 2.5-3 years before being taken out by a rescue group, who i adopted him from. he was in a foster home for a bit over a month a half before i got him.

he's settling in well, we do about 2-3 hours of exercise/day and i'm working on basic commands (he didn't know any, he's also improving on his walking manners as in the shelter they let them out in runs rather than walking the dogs).

i do have some behaviour questions, and trainer questions (we're meeting with a trainer this friday - i'd spoken to several over to phone, but this is the only one we're going to do an assessment with).

behaviour wise - luc was presented to me as very submissive. i've noticed, as he settles, he's less so - which is fine, but obvs. i want to make sure our roles are properly set out. in fact, things i initially put down to him being nervous - such as pulling on the leash - i actually think he's testing me.

luc has also had some episodes of protective behaviour - with people, it's largely when we're in parks or camping, and someone (bigger than me, so male, though there was one lady he didn't like) comes into what he deems to be our territory. i realized it's generally when i'm doing something and my back is turned that he does this - so i'm thinking he thinks he needs to step into a leadership void - ???? he doesn't engage with the people at all, but places himself between me and them and goes into a 'guard dog' pose. he'll growl, once he huffed, and occassionally will bark, but not much, he's not a big barker. that said, he responds fairly well when i tell him to stop - though at minimum he'll still be highly aware.

b/c of that, i wanted to go to a trainer familiar with all sides of protective behaviour. i FULLY recognize that i need to be trained more than luc and learn how to handle him. i contacted several people, but am meeting w/someone recommended by a local schutzhund club AND on a GSD board.

any suggestions about the assessment and what i should ask/look for etc would be great.

in terms of walking luc, when i got him he was on a martingale, which he just choked himself on, i hated it, we moved to a harness (from his backpack - he's gone out twice now with me backpacking!), then the GL - even not tightened he constantly suffocated himself on it pulling, a no-pull harness - better, but still a contest of wills - he would pull forward, i would pull him to my sides - i don't let him walk ahead of me, but believe me, my bicep strength has been greatly improved lately!, and then on friday i got him a prong, which i love love love. he doesn't pull on it, so i don't have to correct him, it's easier to practice commands, b/c he just pays attention to me. i'm a little shocked how well it's working.