Would an eight month old German Shepherd be easy to train?

My dad knows a women who is selling her 8 month old German Shepherd. Someone else originally bought her but they brought the dog back because they gave up on house training her. The dog is really hyper, and the women said she wasn't sure if we could calm her down enough to have her as an inside dog. Also, we have two kittens; would a German Shepherd be good with them? And what are some tips on house training a dog?