Howdy all ! I, like Elizabeth, have a new "landshark" puppy and have a few questions.. (which I shant dump all at once, as I can be a bit chatty and appear slightly eccentric, according to my bride) although I didnt have to go through the drama to get him that she did, there was a bit. got him from my daughter as a present, sort of.. (more like "here daddy.. I got this cuuuuute puppy cuz I am 18 and in my 1st apptment.. and didnt like.. ya know.. realize an stuff... that like... he would grow!! and eat.. and not just eat food!! so, you were k-9.. can you take him?")
So.. his name is now George, (was Rico, but wife veto'ed that) he is 6 mos old on wed dec 31st and I house/crate trained him on day 1.
I dont want to mess him up, and actually would like to SAR or cadaver with him, as well as protection. He has no fear at all, happy as a lark, I got the 8 weeks dvd/pack behaviour dvd/clicker dvd on cindy's advice, and did the establishing dominance thing of "in the crate till I take you out" and it worked like a charm !! he is bonded well to me, then my wife and listens reasonably well (given he is a 6 mo "squirrell-on-meth-with-teeth-in-mouth-and-springs-in-legs")

ooops.. Im really not nuts, but it is time to go home (from work) and I reeeeeaally dont want to type this out again.. will pick up again this evening, as well as try to post a pic.. or you can just ref. Elizabeth's Roca or Cindys Mali But George WILL sit.. as long as a toy has been dropped at your feet and he is waiting patiently for you to throw it... so he can bring it.. ooooovvveer... aaanndd oooovvveerr... for another two hours...

thanks for letting me ramble.. I look forward to the advice!!

Wow, you're getting him right in the middle of the "fun" part. LOL Treat dispensing toys can be a couch cushion saver. Along with bitter apple(create a strong aversion first) and a tether. You'll do fine although the 18 yr old needs to get a "phooey". I'm betting you handled that though. Who sold an 18yr old apartment dweller a GSD pup anyway?

Go ahead and start shooting the questions since the answers are often related to each other. Just keep things split up into paragraphs and the experienced people will wade through and pick it apart.

lol I like your squirrel on meth description, it made me laugh.

Roka won't fetch yet ... I haven't been able to convince him that it is more fun if he brings things back so I can throw them again!

I love that clicker DVD. I have used marker training for years and thought I had a pretty good handle on it ... I was shocked at how much I learned and how many excellent ideas that I had never heard before were on that DVD. It is definitely a good one.

Good luck with George, he is sure to keep you busy!

Thank you for the help, Ladies! George wont STOP fetching! What I need is one O' them gizmos that the dog puts the ball in the little "hopper" and the machine loads, and shoots the ball in a soft arc.. dog gets all the "throw-the-ball-bring-the-ball" he needs... I get my house cleaned.. everyone is happy.. at least until I can find him another "job"
Will be starting on the clicker training soon after the first. Cathy, he is a Mali by the way. Had a GSD, but poor Jakey got DM so we waited as long as we could and finally had to put him down.

This is the fun time for training! Make it a game for your puppy and it'll be a fun adventure for him. Here's my pup at about 6 months i think http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-JGufWHYY&feature=channel Make it fun!

Somebody sold a MALINOIS puppy to an 18-year-old in an apartment?

Yikes! Glad to see he is in great hands! (Hands with a ball, even better lol). I can't wait for the pictures, I love the Malinois breed (could never keep up with one, so I like to live vicariously, lol)

Good for you for stepping up and have FUN with your training! Marker DVD is great.