I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good training book or dvd.  I have hunted all my life and have always wanted a good hunting dog/companion and now I have him.  He is about to be 8 weeks old and I want to start working with him but really dont know at what age he can learn certain things.  He stays in the house most of the time and I want to kennel train him.  Right now im working with him on potty training and he is catching on but still slips up every once in a while.  I have never owned a bigger dog breed like this so I am unsure of some things but he does surprise me daily on how smart he is.  I just want him to be the best he can be and dont want to miss out on any training.  Any advice would be helpful as I have never owned a GSP or any hunting dog.  Thanks

The Perfect Start and Perfect Finish are a really good DVD set from Perfection Kennels.  I am using their methods with my 8 mos old male and so far so good. 

So for training now you can start with basic obedience commands: sit, down, come, etc.  Nothing formal.  It should be short and fun as he is just a baby.  Also work on socialization.  Take him with you when you can, but be careful in places where there are other dogs as he does not have all his immunizations yet.  I liked to take mine to Lowe's at that age as they get lots of interaction with people and different noises.  As soon as you can enter him and you in an obedience class for puppies.

You should be working on crate training him now, don't wait as it will get harder the older he gets.  Good job on the potty training, but remember he is a baby is going to have mistakes once in a while.

Most of all have fun as they grow up really fast.

Thanks so much for the information.  Ya I was told by my vet not to take him to places like petsmart and places like that.  With the crate training I only put him in the crate at night because I dont want him to have a accident while I am asleep.  When he is in his crate he doesnt poop or potty in the crate which is good but he cries and cries and cries some more.  I take him outside thinking maybe he needs to go but i take him back and he cries again.  I am just wondering if he will eventually get use to it and if there are any techniques I can use to make him stop crying.  I have heard things like covering the crate with a blanket but I dont see what that would help.  I am lost on the crate training right now.

In our area, people bring their dogs in to Lowes and Home Depot all the time, however, there is a sign on the door "service dogs only."  :p

Be consistent. Do you crate him any time other than at night?

At 8 weeks old, he'll probably cry at night for a little while.

Covering the crate might help. It's supposed to be more den-like and secure feeling.

Make the crate a good place. Try feeding him in the crate.

You could try crating him while you are home and in the same room. Start out with just a few minutes at a time. Ignore him if he cries, and only let him out if he's quiet.

Good luck!

Lowe's in Austin, TX is dog friendly and they let it be known.  Some of the Home Depots in our area allow dogs and some do not, but depends on the store manager.

For the crate training, you might also try putting a shirt you have worn or something that has your smell on it in the crate.  Also, if you find a stuffed dog about the same size that sometimes works too.  At 8 weeks old they will cry.  When Ringo was that age I put the crate right next to my side of the bed and opened the top so I could reach down and put my hand on him. I would do that until he fell asleep which usually took just a coupld of minutes max.  He was fine after that. Just remember you should not take them out until they are quiet even if it means waiting until they are quiet for only a few seconds.  You do not want your pup to learn the crying gets him out of the crate.