well, this might not go over well, but my dog is trained well and loves me to death (little bit of separation anxiety, though), so i know it works.
when he started getting nippy and bossy, he bit me ONCE, and i bit him back HARD, and he never, ever, bit me again- and only once has he bitten anyone. it was my sister and she kicked him, so i don't really hold it against him.
potty training is tough, but shepherds typically aren't as stubborn and vengeful as terriers. i'd try and take him out back really regularly and into the same spots all the time (like a corner or something) and when he goes to the bathroom, lots of good boys, treats, etc. and if you keep up with that, instead of paper training inside, i'd get one of those green fake grass mats, so he knows to go to the bathroom "on grass". you could even alternatively retrofit a litter box to accomodate the standing up peeing (i've seen it, and it's pretty awesome) or if it's a girl dog, the litterbox is more than enough.
as far as vet prices, i have a local vet who is dirt cheap (it costs about 30 dollars for all my dog's shots every couple years) so I can't help you on that. i would recommend pet insurance, if you can swing it. it's not very expensive and it could mean the difference of putting a dog down and getting a surgical procedure when your dog is ten. take it from my experience, holding onto your best friend while he is given the shot and feeling the life leave him while he stares at you is not something even the strongest person can ever forget.
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