Well now that Cap is getting his strength up (in large part due to the help on this board) he is turning into quite the ball of energy. He is 11 weeks yesterday. I have a couple of issues I'm not sure of. First off I have 8weeks, marker, pack, and assorted other videos.

When we walk he is a rock and trash eating machine. I feel like the whole time I'm watching him like a hawk, trying to hold him back from rocks/trash/strange poop/eating grass/standing water....
or prying things I wasn't quick enough to prevent from getting there out of his mouth.

When he's going for something I say leave it and give him a slight pop on the leash(this does not deter him so far)
When he gets something in his mouth I say Yuck and forcibly remove it.

My question is this: Is it ok to give an 11week old a leash pop. He has a flat collar, but in order for him to notice it I have to give him a pretty good jerk. I'm scared I'm going to hurt him but I'm just as nervous that he's going to get something harmful down his throat.

Started training on it today wish some small success. I brought a rock into the house. We practiced leaving it and yuck. When he did as told he got a treat and praise. When he didn't I pried open his mouth to get it out. With his love for rocks I'm thinking it may take 60-70,000 reps. But he did it right a couple of times.

Also: I know he's supposed to be mouthy but he's been clamping down harder since last night. I gave him a knock it off while holding his cheeks until he submitted (it probably took a good 10 seconds, maybe more) with this I'm worried I'll be hurting the bond. I had to do it more than once. And a couple of times today. Either I'm doing something wrong or he is one hard headed SOB. But with young children in the house he's got to get the rules...no biting on pack members. Of course, I'm trying to redirect first but he seems to focus on one thing and not give it up for anything else.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hey Eric

Adjust your correction for the temperament of your pup. You don't want him eating rocks or things that might hurt him. Give the "Yuck" or Leave It" command and correct him. If the correction is not phasing him, you will have to turn it up a notch.

Sometimes with pups like this it helps to have them carry a small jute tug (small jute roll) for walks. Sometimes this will help them not want to have something else in their mouths, like rocks or biting grass because they are already carrying something.

On the other note about your pup biting you, I would have a small puppy tug or small orbee on a string, tucked in my pocket. Keep an eye on your pup and when he starts to go for YOU, then whip out your tug or ball and "Redirect" your pup onto the tug or ball. You have to watch your pup and be quicker than him!

Thanks John. I've been trying to go a little harder on the corrections and picking up the pace of the walk a little. I tried having him carry something but he picks up a scent and drops it.

I have been having some more luck with redirections. When I go out of the house I must look like a freak. Tug in back pocket, ball in front, treats in another.

The biting of me has calmed down a lot. Now we're just working on the kids. They are hard to resist as they are always in movement and making noise. Like I told my wife, they just need interaction so that we can correct/praise the behavior we dislike/like.

Thanks

My pup was crazy about biting/eating bark until she was 4.5 months old. One of the early mistakes we made was when we saw her grab some in the backyard, we'd try and grab it from her. The mistake was doing this when she was off leash because it became a game of keep away for her. Droze us nuts! We started marker training the yuck so that anytime she grabbed bark or a rock, we would trade her a treat if she spat it out. That also became a game because she would then grab bark just to get a treat (smart little brat), but eventually she learned the yuck command. It took longer than some of the others, probably a couple weeks. I also think she just grew out of it once she got a little older.