Erny

Thank you ... "Bomani" is nice and will be included in the short list. I think "Mandela" is growing on me though. I just asked 'little man' to bark twice if he liked the name "Mandela". And he did!!! (Actually, he barked another half dozen times after that, but , so he can't count yet . He's only a baby after all. ) I don't know why I'm not fretting about a name. I think it will just come to me. I'm meeting up with my sister for dinner and drinks (to wet puppy's head - metaphorically speaking of course) on Thursday night. I think a few drinks under my belt will see me naming him that night . ETA: In typical RR style, he has found the ducted heating vents. They are now his favourite places for sitting and laying on. :rolleyes:

Yeah well .... seeing as I'm also thinking along the lines of musical bands, Elvis' song "Devil in Disguise" springs to mind :rolleyes: He's doing well though. Slept 7 hours straight through last night. Is going to the toilet on command (and sometimes not on command ). In fact, I'm noting that he sometimes goes twice in the one sitting (so to speak) - I think that's so he can get an extra food treat!!!

I doubt it MsJames ..... I rang a couple of the major labs and was informed no labs do the full test panel out here as they do in the US. We sent the bloods overseas for analysis. Mmoo .... thanks for the name. Have you any idea how to contact this person? Even remotely where she is located? Please PM me with the details if you do .

I haven't met or seen Mark, but I have shared communications with Mark and have read posts of his here from some time back. If one could go by that alone, then I think he'd be a really good choice for you GSDh. His posts represent a lot of sense and balance :D. Perhaps give him a call so you can 'hear' for yourself? Good luck - hope it all goes well and I'm sure Mark will be able to steer you in the right direction. :p

Congratulations, Monelite - very well done!!! :D

So do I, DD. And yes ..... I understand it too. ETA : I think I have been able to source a Vet within 'do-able' distance to my client and who will present with an open and knowledgeable mind as far as the matter relates to thyroid and behaviour and thyroid meds . Thanks Penski. And thanks to others who responded here.

It's a put on to lull you in! Lies ..... it's all lies !!!!

Of course not! You know me ..... one tough trainer :wink:

Thanks Rusky. I like everything the name represents .... and I don't mind the name itself, but not sure I like anything that it can be shortened down to. .... name picking is harder than puppy picking!!! Pup went to first puppy school today. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny warm morning (which is a pre-requisite for RR's ). At first he was happy for me to sit on the ground and he on my lap whilst he watched the hoards of other pups (varying ages) doing their 'thing'. After a few minutes or so, his confidence kicked in and he ventured out to meet with a few of the others. There was no stopping him after that and if anything I had to disrupt and distract him because he was getting a little bit over the top with a couple of the 'softer' and smaller pups. He did the puppy tunnel, although we did this when everyone else was finished, him being the youngest pup there and his first time out. No probs with the tunnel . He's had a little collar on him for a couple of days - no probs at all. Today was first day with a lead on and he didn't blink an eye-lid at it. We went for a bit of a walk around whilst the other classes of older dogs were in training. He got pooped out by it all and ended up zonking out inside my jacket. We came home then. He had a bit of a play (and toilet, of course) when we got home. Then a meal. Now he's zonked out again on a blanket at my feet. Going out again this afternoon while I give a lesson to someone else. Then I think I'll take him over to meet my folks. All in all ..... a big day for the little man, but he's taking it all in his stride. Tomorrow we'll most likely venture out to puppy school again (weather dependent) and in between my day's commitments also plan to lightly/gently introduce him to the sounds of trains as they come into the station. RR - thanks for the last link. I will look through it again more thoroughly to see if a name 'pops' out at me. I am a little concerned that my little man will be three years old and I'll still be calling him "pup, pup, pppup" ;).

Thanks AP ..... I had a bit of a look through the list in the link you provided. Not sure - I like many of the 'meanings' but not necessarily the sound of the actual name/s. ATM I'm seriously contemplating "Mandela" ..... it fits in with "Little Man". I still have to get my head around what it's going to sound like when later, I do a distance recall and sing out "Hey!! Man!! Come!!" ..... you never know, I could either 'get lucky' or get more than I bargained for!!!! I could also use "Nelson" for when pup's in trouble

Oh................ Ok. Good for you, GSDh Ok, that's good. Just, from your OP there was no mention of a "trainer" and I thought you were going to try to 'go it alone'. That's not the case, so I apologise for stating the obvious. Cheers! Erny

GSD .... didn't you obtain this pup to train up for security work??? Not only for that reason, but especially for that reason, I strongly urge you to get some "in person" professional help schooling your pup and building good handling skills. You'll need all of this well and truly before any security work, for the sake of a well balanced security dog .... which is an absolute essential IMO. ETA: If your dog has issues with people now, if I were you I'd be beginning to re-think his suitability for security work.

Ummmm .... not against regulations to use one in SA to my knowledge??? However, it is wise to get some professional advice/help regardless of what you do - so that you can be sure what collar IS the most suitable (along with checking/coaching your lead handling skills as mentioned below). They are effective, GSDh .... but ANY tool needs proper handling for it to be so and therefore, like others have suggested, you'd do well to seek professional help. I've worked with people who initially were thinking they needed to change their training equipment, when all it was, was how they were working the lead (ie lead handling skills). Highlights and italics are mine .... How old is your dog, GSDh ???

There is no Afrikaans equivalent for that, AP.

Nah .... forget it. It is either "Min Mens" or "Klein Mens" I don't think so.

Thank you Amypie. I think we all think pups are beautiful, and our own even more so!! He is such a cute little man (what's "Little Man" in Afrikaans? ............ or could he end up with a complex about that one?) and he certainly shows some spunk (when he's not eating, sleeping, weeing or pooing )

..... And my luck I'm sure he'd strive to live up to his name for the rest of his life!!! LOL .... no thanks!

Ahhh .... bliss!

Drive training has begun. Seems I'm gonna have to 'wear' the drive toy

And more play! Ummm ..... all things stop for a chicken frame.

What? That wet patch in there? Wasn't me. No. Wasn't. Playtime!

Thanks RR (funny about your initials ??? ;)) I will put more photo's up. Honestly - today has been full on and I didn't get chance for too many photo's today, let alone upload them. But they will come :D. Yes - it is dang hard to go past Ridgy Wrinkles . Thank you everyone, for your kind wishes and "congratulations". I haven't responded individually to everyone, but please know that I am stoked at how many have wished us well . The next day will hopefully see us closer to a 'routine' and will permit me a chance to spend the time to take and upload some more photo's.

Plans will unfold as they go. For the moment, concentrating on broad spectrum socialisation - especially public transport and crowds. Beyond that, I thought he could train up to be my secretary - tend to phone calls/take messages; bill payments etc. etc. Oh - and to do my ironing and put out the bins on garbo night. I am starting him on "observational training" as soon as possible .

LOL ..... What? Get up every two hours just for a dry run (no pun intended) "toilet training practice" ???? Yeah - like THAT is going to happen!

I kept it low key, Kelpie-i. In case it didn't work out. But I'm glad it did :D. Trouble is right. Perhaps I can drop by on my way to one of our "airport socialisation" trips? I haven't named him yet, KI. "Rijstone Hank the Tank". Breeder will be pleased, do you think? LOL Drink? ..... Ahhh - that sounds like a great idea. Erny wanders down to the cellar ............ :smurf: