The decision has been made and we rehomed our GSD. It wasn't easy,as he was my husbands dog,and he loved him alot. The initial decision to get him was for home security.He was from a backyard breeder, the price sucked us in,I will admit. When he was younger,everything was fine. Small problems arose,and I have lurked on this forum,and all over the internet looking for answers. Chewing became a problem,no matter how many stuffed toys he shred,Kongs,ropes, rawhides,and even sticks from outside. he destroyed our kitchen table,and chewed a hole in our plasterboard wall!. He was moved into a pup proof enclosed sunporch,and found that months of housebreaking resulted in him relieving himself in a corner. With warmer weather, more time was spent outside with him,and a kennel was provided for him. He kept jumping the kennel, the higher kennel was given to him,and would destroy the fencing,and crawl out. He was tied out on an extremely long tie out,and things seemed to go well for a while,until a morning where a cop came knocking on the door about dog barking. Alot of stress in the past 2 months about his increasing noise. Coming in at about midnight, he would whine like a new puppy again! not sleeping for more than 4-5 hours before waking the entire house up from howling. With my husbands recent overtime,and working 6 days,we just haven't spent the time with him he deserves,and we decided to rehome him. He was aquired for protection for our home, and I know now that i should have researched breeders as to what kind of Shepherds they sell...as to what kind of drive they have. This shepherd lacked a herding drive as demonstrated by his running away from the horses that got on our property.He literally ran with his tail between his legs to the door! The other 3 kept the horses back until the owners came and got them, a golden mix and 2 cockers!!! He has picked up on the friendlyness of the other dogs,and is extremely neurotic when someone comes.Pacing and just the want of attention and even submissive pees. He has yet to lift his leg,even being still about 8 months old,knowing it can take longer sometimes. His ears have yet to stand,even talking to that breeder about it,and the advice to leave them,as the parents and every other pup was said to go up naturally.I have tried glueing and taping and cannot still the dog enough to do so,or he just knocks the tape and sets off. I do not believe what the breeder has said to me,as they will say anything to get their money. I will be emailing them about their poorly bred dog. He does not bark at anyone that comes,only barks at owls at night. He is just not what we were looking for in a German Shepherd. I have to admit i am just soured by the breed. I absolutely love them, I have owned one years ago, but just cannot see myself owning another one in my life. I never thought I would be a cocker person, but since 14 they have grown on me, and will be a part of my life forever. this has been an emotional lesson for us. We did not want to just "dump" the dog,but screened over 60 potential homes. I was informed that he is a great dog,and they are absolutely thrilled with him! they will still keep in touch with us from time to time through email. I still want to lurk, as there is alot of information here to learn.