At 4 months old he have "ears up!"  The left is a little leaning but within a week of this photo, it had straightened up. 

In the end of October, Questa was entered in the Northeast Regional Conformation Show (United Schutzhund Clubs of America) where she received a first place finish and a rating of "very promising" under the German System.  There were two puppies in the class.  Both were class acts.

By this time Questa had been in Puppy Class and was entered in Beginner Obedience.  She did well in class although she showed a tendency to fixate and bark at other dogs.  I would step in front of her and face her.. and step quickly into her space to let her know this was not hers to handle.  In retrospect the behavior was very reactive.  Sometimes she had her "ruff up" and I believe she was showing insecurity.  We repeated Beginner Obedience NOT because she did not 'pass' but because she was not ready for more intense work.  I do not believe in introducing corrections of any sort until a puppy is over a year old.

She also was starting tracking and I started to look at Schutzhund work.  I found that Questa could not get her conformation Championship under the German System until she had attained a Schutzhund 1 title.  This title requires the dog to receive a passing score in Tracking, Obedience and Protection phases.  The dog also be breed surveyed which includes various aspects including judgement of protection work and an endurance test of 12 miles trotting next to a bicycle.