Help with getting a show stance - Page 1

He either needs to be TIRED first so he won't move around so much - or calm, like when he just woke up. 

since he is food driven NO FOOD INVOLVED in this excercise

Keep the stacking exercise short.  

Lift him a few inches of the ground holding him under both his shoulders, then let go

Usually their legs are straight down under their chest,   if not straighten it some

just handle him a bit for a few minutes. 

start with THE FRONT and REWARD him when he stands still briefly

Worry about the whole stack LATER, start with the front, when he understands that,

then work on the back.  

Just like every obedience session, it takes your patience - but he's 4 months old so keep it under 2 minutes then take him for a brief walkie as a reward.   NO FOOD again!!!

Thanks for all the advise, will give it a try later on after his nap :)

This is how I have been taught to stack a German Shepherd. It has worked really well for me.....

Always stack the FRONT first, and intentionally just a little too far UNDER the body. This way, when you set the back left leg to the rear, it will pull the front legs into the proper position! If you set the front legs straight to begin with, when you set the rear legs, it pulls the body back, but leaves the front feet in their original position, but moves the forearms back, creating the improper angle.
When you set the rear, set his/her right rear leg (the one closest to you) with the tips of his/her toes right under where the tip of her peter should be if he/she is a male! (He/She will need this three point stance to balance while you set his/her last leg) Then set the left hind leg last- bring it back far enough from the body that the lower leg from the point of the hock to the pastern is pretty much straight up and down.
Doing this you will be able to see a much nicer topline, and it will accentuate a nice croup and tail set, as well as give an accurate idea of his/her proper proportions.

 Thanks very much for the advice Jyl. It does make sense and i seem to be getting somewhere with his stand by not using food :) Will hopefully be able to get a photo of him soon.