Hello all, first time GSP owner always owned labs or american bulldogs, i have a 13 week old male named Arrow. We got him at 9 weeks. Potty training didnt go so well at first, he gave no indication that he had to go he would just squat and pee or stand, would not go on pads, breeder trained him on pads, but now he has learned to go to the door and sit, no accidents in the house for about 2 weeks. He has always walked good on leash no biting it flipping around acting dumb.

I have a few concerns/questions. okay maybe more than a few

1. He is crate trained but at night he will only sleep for about 2 hours and then needs to go out again has done this since we brought him home, sleep another 2 and back up again goes potty everytime. Usually around the 4th time i have to get up with him  i am staggering out the door with eyes shut, my fiance leaves for work and me and pup lay on couch and go back to sleep he will sleep about 4 or 5 hours on couch but not that long in crate, he's driving me nuts I am sleep deprived.

2. When I take him outside (always on the leash because he will be gone in a blink of an eye) he goes out and trys to pull up big patches of grass always wanting to eat dirt, rocks, roots etc... what can I do?Also if he wants to go somewhere he is trying to pull me along. His walk back from potty spot to garage he is trying to eat everything.

3. He know whats the word NO means, and he tests me everyday. Christmas tree is up and presents under it he will lay by tree with a toy and try to grab a present, when i tell him no he gets vocal with me and barks and does a growl. He also does that when he has a toy on the couch and he drops it on the floor he wants me to get it so he will bark and carry on for me to get it. What can I do to stop the behavior?

4. I also read somewhere about ZOOMIES... LOL he's got them, he will run through the house like lightning romp and play and bark. He has a stuffless fox that he will grab by the tail and run in a circle about 20 times.

5. Trying to teach him the basics, he does great with sit, but thats all ive accomplished.

Thanks all for allowing me to join and vent a lil bit..

Any help is appreciated

Welcome to the German Shorthair Pointer world. What you described is normal for this breed. They get better as they get older and learn to live and adjust to your routine. My GSP, Rocky will be turning 11 this month. Rocky still gets the zoomie, zoomie and can be destructive if not exercised, entertained on a daily routine basis. We also had a Lab/ Chese mix amd she was calm as can be. When Rocky entered our house at 12 months old form WI Rescue it was like a tornado came in our house. It took us time with training, exercise and GSP Direction to become adjusted. It takes time. A puppy is like a new born and you almost need puppy Paternity or maturinty leave. Good Luck with your new addition.GSPs keep their puppy spirit their entire lives

"Typically the zombies occur when they get tired. . ."

I don't think the OP is describing the situation in which his puppy marches around slowly with staring eyes and outstretched arms. . . .

 Thanks for the information. We have been working on the leave it command, because when we brought him home he was wanting to take off with my furry slippers, took him about 4  or 5 days  and 1 swat on the butt and he has never touched them again.

He hasnt had his 3rd set of puppy shots yet, he goes Saturday for them after he gets them we will enroll in obidience training

He is on Pro Plan Puppy Chicken and Rice Shredded Blend he gets fed 2 cups a day. I fill his bowl at 6am and he doesnt start eating till 1130-12.

I will post pics soon

@sevens - I would go back to basics with recall training (at home indoors until 100%, at home in yard until 100%, and then adding distractions). BUT, if Bella were behaving this way (knowing that she knows recall and what is expected) I trust that she needs to be close to where I am enough that I would feel confident doing the complete opposite of what you are doing. Going after him turns it into a game for him, a game that he is winning. I won't lie, sometimes with recall Bella will start to come and then stop to sniff something else on her way and I add a "NOW" and she knows that is her final word. If she were to do what your dog is doing, I would call once, add the now, if she didn't come...I would turn around and walk the other way no longer acknowledging my dog. You are now taking back control and your dog (again, if you are confident he would move in the same direction as well) should follow you. Since you have no way to reinforce the command without going to get him off lead, this is why I suggest this. Best case scenario is, though, that you eliminate this behavior with more control and a check cord.

A little off the topic, but since Bella knows the trails we take pretty well, she will range a little further than I like and checks in from a far (because I like her close enough that I can see a biker or jogger coming and have time to call her back to me so she doesn't bother them). If she gets too rangy on me, I will start to play hide and seek with her. I will hide behind a big tree and once she notices I'm no longer right behind she will come running back. I throw a huge party when she finds me, and she loves it so she starts to stay closer and check in more often. She also can't stand the idea of losing me. But, I know other GSPs in our area that couldn't care less if they were out in the field on their own, so it just depends on your dog's personality

 http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a565/ShannonReneeKidd/Arrow/316540_10152313038715332_1892974989_n_zps92454cf0.jpg

This is Arrow

15yrs from now you will look back at these pictures & say remember when he was that little !  Nice looking pup .Lot's of luck to you guy's. Intelligence is an understatement for this breed !

Thanks gharner.. Yeah I feel like a broken record sometimes , no no no off off off