Help! Looking for GSD pup to train as an assistance dog - Page 4

GSDsRock;
I know you want a papered dog and not a rescue, and a male,  BUT, I have had several rescues in that did awesome as service dogs and even Police k-9's...This one would be a perfect fit...she is way too smart for just anyone...
We have in a little pup, so very smart at on 12 weeks old that she is stealing everyones heart. For some reason a gal got her and bottle fed her since her eyes were barely open. Then gave her up to rescue at 12 weeks old.
Read the story or go to our website and see her. Here is a part of it here. Photos there too...just maybe....

www.montanagsdrescue.org       forum page then foster stories...

Bandit arrived to our home and she is quite the smart little puppy! She knows sit, plays fetch, and will make you laugh until your sides split! A typical puppy that is into everything and running all over, we did not realize her hidden identity under that cute angelic face. She is the "Bandit"!
While we were eating dinner in the living room Bandit struck. She watched me and when I was not paying attention - gently removed my slice of Roast Beef off my plate and ran. The chase was on and my husband (laughing at the scene) was not much help - of course had it been reversed I would have been the same. When I finally caught the sly thief she gave it up and then sat there staring for the rest of the meal. Not getting another chance to sneak in.
She plays fetch very well and brings it back to you. She also challenged my 6 year old GSD to a tug of war. Boy did she sound fierce! She was proud when she won and immediately took after Tamlyn if she lost grabbing a hold again on the tug and running beside her until she gave up the toy.
This morning they played attack of the Bandit under the table. Bandit would lay in wait under the table and attack Tamlyn as she passed by. They would jump and dodge then she would roll over on her back for Tamlyn to get her. When Tamlyn laid down she would climb on top of her and get her ears and neck before toppling over and playing some more. Now they are all tired and resting peacefully around the house.
Ben asked her to shake and she looked at him and then at his hand and then placed her paw right in him hand! We thought it was a fluke and tried it later and what do you know she did it faster. This morning we tried down. It took a bit because she wanted to play but after a couple of tries she did it! This puppy is highly intelligent so training is a must! Any puppy this smart will get out of hand if not trained and working.
We discovered she is not housebroken at this point and are working on that. She has stolen the hearts of everyone who has met her. Stolen my dinner when there was opportunity. And that is how little Bandit got her name.

Steph-
I was just looking at your website, and Zeus is one handsome boy.  I wish I lived closer so I could meet him!

Opal

 Did you ever consider going back into your own dogs line and contacting breeders? Or have you considered that you just have one of those dogs that only comes along once every so often? Im sure we can all agree that there have been dogs in our lives that are just uniquely special.

I agree with other posts that a young dog may be the better way to go. Ive had plenty of puppies that I knew at 3-6 mo weren't going to be what I wanted. Its nice when I had the entire litter to pick from because I had a higher change of success. Its easier for me now to go and evaluate a dog up to a year and see what I can find. Its cheaper too and less time put out for a dog that isnt going to work. 

This is just my suggestion : Dont limit your breed type and age of dog. There are plenty of breeds that have what your looking for but the dog may not be a shepherd. I work with dogs from 8 weeks to 10 and from working homes to shelter dogs. You will have a much larger pool to draw from. I will always love shepherds but Ive had the honor to work with some other really awesome breeds. Thats how I got into Neos. Id never even heard of the breed before I rescued one on her last day at the shelter. Now I volunteer for the Natl club. Although Im not a fan of  goldens, my son wanted one so I bought one. From an earlier post from Prager who mentioned a mind link between himself and the dog, I can do this with the golden. Its crazy to see it in action. Without my son asking me to get a golden would I have? HELL NO! But he is one hell of a dog.

Looks like I’ve found my puppy, thanks to Christi of Adel Haus German Shepherds in Colorado. Christi let me know about a 10-week-old pup in one of her litters who looked like he had the right stuff, and he arrived yesterday. It’s still early, of course, but he clearly has the hard-to-find combinations of high sociability and high watchfulness, and high sensitivity and high resilience. He is incredibly smart, extremely well socialized, and physically sound as well. 

I was really impressed with Christi’s understanding of the kind of temperament that is needed. Most people don’t understand, and think any bright social puppy is sufficient. I was also very impressed with her extensive knowledge of the temperaments of her pups, based on a great deal of interaction with them and not just a quick temperament “test.”

She also has a drop-dead gorgeous long-coated pup from the same litter with a very similar temperament. He is the most beautiful long-coated GSD pup I’ve ever seen. If I had time for two pups, I would have taken him as well.

So we’re off to enjoy the fun process of training and socialization. If people are interested, I’ll post updates as he progresses.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you who offered your help and suggestions!

I would love to hear your progress.

I have found that gsd with lower prey drive are usually higher in defense, I would pick a outgoing puppy with balanced drives. Play prey drive are what makes a dog easy to train.

Best of luck with the puppy;  I would love to see and hear progress;  so glad you found what  you were looking for.  Nanci

"One of the best service dogs I know doesn't play with the other dogs when they are allowed off-leash exercise time. Instead, she patrols the fenceline, and watches for trouble (herding instinct, most likely.)"

Sunsilver, my little guy (Rio) is doing much of this already at 10 weeks of age. He plays for a bit with the other dogs, and then he clearly patrols the yard--in a very non-aggressive, non-fearful but very alert way. When he meets new people, he happily lets them fuss over him for several minutes, and then he turns away and scans his surroundings for possible trouble. This is clearly hardwired into him, as it is with my current assistance dog. This behavior and the strong sense of duty that prompts it are so rare in the modern GSD. Rio even looks like a tiny version of an adult GSD much of the time, with a very serious look on his face. He looks like a goofy little puppy only part of the time. He does come from lines with some herding GSD ancestors. He has no interest in balls or toys, clearly considering them childish and beneath him. His work is his joy.

When he's older, I'll try him on sheep and see what he does.

If there's anyone reading this who is also looking for a service dog, I recommend checking out Rio's long-coated brother. These traits are very hard to find.

That's great, GSDRocks!

I'm going to PM you some more info on that dog. I don't want to share it publically due to privacy issues. (Also the dog is not a GSD, and this is the GSD forum.)