Hi, I'm new to this Forum, though I've been a fan of Ed's for many years. Still miss "Dog Sports" magazine... I've been training/titling Schutzhund GSD's for 18 years, but have only whelped one litter completely "on my own" before: Ulrich vom Hammerbachtal, SchH 3 x Hesy Naspo, SchH 3 (Banga vom Floyd Haus, SchH 3, Benny vom Floyd Haus, SchH 3, etc...).

I sold the pick female from above-mentioned litter to a pet dog client of mine - great guy, great family, etc... We all know how this goes. He really wanted to get into Schutzhund, but didn't have the time or expertise to make it happen with Batia vom Floyd Haus - an exceedingly strong female. Long story short - I bought her back, bred her to John Riboni's very nice German import Bruno vom Midlicher Land, and now have three female puppies who will be 6 weeks old in a couple of days.

I'd like to hear what Ed and others typically do for imprinting at this age, and at weeks 7, 8, etc... (This is my "A" litter and though I hadn't planned to, I may keep one, based on what I'm seeing so far). So far, I've just done what I did with Batia and her littermates at this age. "My 3 girls" run toward loud noises - feet stomping on wood, slamming hand against wall, etc... and my voice calling, "Come, come, come" loudly (in a happy tone). They negotiate different surfaces to run toward me/loud noises (having to climb up on a deck from grass yard, over slippery tile, carpet, etc...) They love my voice and compete to get me to pick them up - all the expected behaviors for a well-bred working GSD litter.(I'm leaving out details of obvious stuff you'd do for even pet dogs).

Acknowledging the importance of impact periods, I'd really like to hear what y'all have found useful/significant in terms of imprinting/early training in the 6-8 week stages.

Welcome any advice/input. Thanks.