Here's my post from my FB page.

I arrived at Logan airport in Boston at noon just as the guy was finishing the paperwork for Xeus and within a few minutes he brought Xeus out. I then carryed his crate to the truck and reached into the crate and tried to give him a treat but he just wanted so I reached into his crate and put his collar and leash on him. Xeus didn't do his biz at the airport so I drove 50 miles to the first rest area in Maine. There was a nice wooded area in the back of the rest stop away from people and other dogs. He did double biz there and did a little exploring and I started working on engagement for a couple of 30 seconds session. Then someone showed up with a big dog on a leash at about 50 feet from us so I kept an eye on him because as the pack leader it's my job to protect Xeus! We went back to the truck without contact with any people or other dogs. I then drove home while Xeus slept. I had to stop for gas about 50 miles from home so I stopped at a gas station that I knew had a big parking lot in the back bordered my some woods. I let Xeus out so he could get a drink and explore the edge o the woods and do his biz if he had to. There was about five feet of softball size rip rap leading down to a small gully before it went up a small incline up to the woods. As I led Xeus down through the rip rap he just navigated it no problem so I proceeded to let Xeus explore the edge of the woods and also took the opportunity to work on some short engagement exercises with him again. Then a girl showed up in a mini van and parked by my truck about 50 feet away and started running to where Xeus and I were as she wanted to see the cute puppy. Xeus and I saw her at the same time and he started barking at her as I put up my hand with the stop signal while at the say time telling her to stop in a firm voice which stopped her in her tracks. I told he was in training so no one could talk, pet, or give him any treats. She seemed to understand and left. I then guided Xeus back up through the rip rap with no problem. Then we went home and I let him explore the yard and let him have a chance to do his biz if he had to which he didn't. So then I played with him a little before we went Into the cabin. As the pack leader I went through the door first and he followed while on his leash (for now he will either be in his crate, ex pen, or on a leash, no exception!). I let him explore the cabin a little but I was starving and as the pack leader I eat first so I put him in his big crate at which time I gave him a treat and told him "good boy" as I closed the door. I ate and then fed him in his crate. He whined for about an hr as he didn't like being in the crate but that's the way it is. He then went out and got a little exercise, but it was cold so I took him back inside and played with him for an hr. before we all went to bed. I got up around 11:30pm and took him out at which time he did double biz. I then played some more tug for a haft hr. before I put him back in his crate. I got up at two am but he was in a deep sleep so I left him alone and went back to sleep until 6 am when Xeus and I woke up and I took him out right away. The main things I'm working on now is pack structure, crate training, house breaking him, engagement, and socialize him which doesn't mean people or other dogs, it means new places, experiences, leading him through, around and over brush and logs etc.. He is super smart and is picking this all up no problem. Al

Did I do anything wrong?

Personally, it sounds like you're off to a good start working engagement and laying basic groundwork. You said earlier you're familiar with marker training so I expect that to come into play eventually, too. Enjoy your pup! That's my advice.

Sounds great and ditto on the marker training.

At this point in his and your life you have the most opportunity to set foundations that will last the rest of your life.

Nothing better then seeing a pups lights turn on and marker training can accomplish that better then any other form of training.

Thanks Greg and Bob for your input. Xeus is my 4th GSD with my last one being a female DDR GSD. I've learned so much here on Mr. Frawley's website. In the past I made a lot of mistakes especially the old "crank and yank" dog training philosophy. I know I have a lot to learn, I just hope I can do a better job training my Xeus than I did with my previous dogs.

 Quote: Albert Glossian

In the past I made a lot of mistakes especially the old "crank and yank" dog training philosophy. I know I have a lot to learn, I just hope I can do a better job training my Xeus than I did with my previous dogs.

I know the feeling. I wish I had a do-over for all the dogs I had prior to us getting our Mal, Bailey. With the help of this forum and very good training opportunities we had here locally, we have gotten so much more enjoyment and fulfillment with her. Like Bob said, it is so highly rewarding seeing their lights come on when all that work falls into place and you end up with a well behaved, highly capable, and highly engaged dog as a result. I think we had that experience with our other dogs to a certain extent but nothing like our experience with Bailey.

Sounds like you have pretty good experience behind you if you've already raised 4 GSDs so I hope you are well on your way to enjoying this one also.

I hear what you are saying Greg as I feel the same way. The important thing is that we feel regret and not guilt about how we trained our previous dogs.

I started training dogs back in the 50s as a kid.

Where I use to look back and feel bad about some of the methods I used I now just look at them as learning experiences.

I hope I never stop learning!