discouraged

[Cstout]

Also, just want to say im not trying to speak poorly about my bf. I love him to death but we have different opinions sometimes. Sometimes he is right and I am wrong, and ill admit it. He has had a lot more experience training dogs than I have, and I respect his opinion. But, im constantly reading this forum learning new things and figuring out through experience what works for my puppy. Even though we consider stark "our dog" he is mine. And I want to do what's best for him. I want a well trained and HAPPY dog who enjoys training with us.

[Blanketback]

Stark sounds like a great puppy, congrats! Like the others have said, it's just a matter of desensitizing him to all the excitement of the pet store. I was lucky with my puppy, because most of the pet stores in my area give out treats, so when he was younger and very food motivated, he always wanted to go up to the counter first. Now that he's older, he's not interested in the treats anymore. But he's used to being in the stores, so he's calm. The various treats at eye-level get his attention, lol.

I know it's hard to have 2 different people with 2 different ideas of what to expect from a puppy. But since he's your dog (like mine is) you get to call the shots. Since Stark is doing so well with everything else, you're obviously going about things the right way.

[Jag]

Just because he has more experience doesn't mean it's good experience or that he's right. Have you ever taken a young child into a carnival? This is, essentially, what happens when you take a pup into a pet store. 9 months is still a pup with a GSD. I expected my dogs to behave and focus no matter where they were at an older age. I know they get big fast, but their brains haven't matured. I'm with the other two, keep the dog, ditch the BF.