Even though I am very new to this knife thing, as a business owner there is a bit of respect to those buying my products, especially when their patronage is continual, with that said, The JYD's are loyal, support the business, and publicize for the company, this is a real advantage for a company to solicit new business and keep a following.
Showing a little respect to the Dogs would only increase sales and loyalty, (but those who want to try to get early numbers, stay at the website till the sale is on deserves something too). I think there should be some sort of member program, something similar to this...

(Also to note, as a dang Libra, I see the disadvantages to this program too!)

A Member Program: To have a Dogs number on it...
1) You must be a DOG member.
2) As a member, Dogs are issued one knife from each series (and variants) automatically billed/charged. (if Dogs want more they will have to order them separately).
3) As a member you are required to buy 12 months worth of series.
4) Removing yourself from the member program prevents you from enrolling again for a year. Being forcefully removed by the Dog Master, permanently kicks you out of the program.( You don't bite your Master! )

I am sure this needs to be tweaked a bit, but you get the jest.

Now another variation to this would be an additional series of the production knives especially for the Dogs and with a different marking system... Ex JYD # 25... This would be ideal as not to discourage non members from getting an early numbered knife when F5'ing the website for the sale to begin.

Ps: I am not a member... HO-hum