I've taken everyones advice and read tons and tons of Ed's articles and e books. I am leaning towards Protection work...I have no idea what order to start in!! The DVD's that it seems that I need are: Basic Dog Obedience,Raising a working puppy,Training Personal Protection Dogs,Puppy Bite Work,&First Steps For Defence.

Where do I start what DVD fist,second...????? Everything I've read states over and over that if you make ONE MISTAKE your back to the start or done completely. It all seems so confusing I only have about 10 weeks until I pick up my pup.

Any help would be greatly helpful

Okay, Mike, slow down...take a breath, lol.

Let's take this a step at a time...first of all, how old is your pup going to be when you pick him up? If he is still quite young (under 12 months) you will want to relax a bit. There is no "protection work" per se with a dog younger than that and some dogs even older. With a pup your main focus will be

1. Building a strong TRUSTING bond.
2. Playing and having fun with said pup.
3. Purchasing perhaps 8wks to 6 mo. and/or Raising a working pup
4. Playing and having fun with said pup.
5. Assessing for SURE what you want from this pup and also figuring out whether he will be up for the work you are expecting him to do, you don't want to start a dog on the road to protection in order to decide part way through that you dont feel like completing it. This makes for a dangerous dog. It is a long road to get a dog ready and you had better be sure you know the implications of what you are asking both of yourself and of your dog.
6. Playing and having fun with said pup.

Enjoy the pup, the time goes by faster than you realize, put your time and effort into making sure you know how to feed and keep him healthy. Socialize him, play games that promote fun bite and tug games BUT be careful in the beginning there is a teething process. Make sure and do searches on the board concerning what you can do w/a teething pup. Spend time, looking into trainers in your area, get references, don't just take him to anyone that says they train. This is a time for educating yourself and PREPARING for the work that is ahead of you. Have fun and good luck!

Wow, seems like just yesterday I was asking all these same questions, times going by so fast!

thats helps a lot the only other thing is how early do i start the bite work?

bite work is biting. Pups bite from the day they are born. Right now the only bite work he needs is in the form of play. I used a soft towel to encourage him to bite, this way it wasn't too hard on his puppy teeth but also gave him ample supply of bite work and he didn't even know he was working. Still have to be careful how much you pull on the tugs so you don't rip baby teeth out.

Mike,

Is your up out of working lines? What was he bred to do? A great place to start is figuring out what aspect of protection work you want to do. Sport (Schutzhund or ring) or PPD. Either way, you will want to get the pup evaluated by a seasoned helper and start foundation work. Working with a helper will lay the proper foundation while ensuring your relationship with the pup is going properly. The working puppy DVD is good, as is the drive and focus one, but if this is your first attempt at protection work the DVD's will not be enough. Get with a good club or trainer. Now is the perfect time to visit a club or two and see if you like them.

Burlap sack and a leather bite rag. You will need both of those.
When you get mad at the pup do not yell or smack it, just put him away. That is very important. No harsh corrections. That includes when he sh@ts in your bed and chews a hole in your wall.. Oh wait that was my pup. When that happens I pet the dog put it outside and tell the wife our kids have done much worse.
If it is a working line pup be prepared for the chewing. My pup was never of leash in the house for the first 8 months but she still bitt the: kitchen table,coffe table,banester railing,wall etc.

Yes training DVD's but do not forget to get some mondio ring or french ring DVD's cause they are just fun to watch and will increase your motivation.

 Quote: steve mcdonald

No harsh corrections. That includes when he sh@ts in your bed and chews a hole in your wall.. Oh wait that was my pup. When that happens I pet the dog put it outside and tell the wife our kids have done much worse.

OMG, Steve - that is SO funny. If my pup destroys everything, or sh@ts in our bed, I will use this line on my hubby. LMAO!!!