lol - my apologies then, I would have to agree though generally I don't stick my fingers in the mouths of things that think I'm a snack

I might be inclined to try a metal lead for a bit. If the dog wanted to chomp it continuously as well I would discontinue it so as not to ruin the pup's mouth.

My thinking is only that some dogs hate the mouth feel of metal (my dog is one of them). He used to chew through a lead when tied to a tree at dog courses when he was younger and bolt onto the search area (watching people run away and hide in the puppy courses was too much for him ). When I switched to a metal tie out it stopped right away.

My GSD did the same thing yours did, Kori, and I used the method Carol described (the two leashes). It worked really well. And I agree that the pup is looking for play...usually a fun game of tug with the leash!

While I was getting him used to the leash, I would also have some distraction going on, like a ball or something. I also did early obedience with the leash on because then he was way more focused on the reward than on the leash. My dog grew out of it pretty quickly.

And as for Bitter Apple...when I used it my dog looked at me as if to say, "Thanks for the gravy!!" I never did try the holding the cotton ball in the mouth thing on Carbon when he was a young pup. I can't say that there weren't a few moments when I was tempted ( ) but I was ultimately too concerned that it would harm my bonding with him.

Now that I know what a hard dog he is, I doubt it would have phased him, but my personal advice would be to wait to use that particular technique until your pup's a little older (if you still have that problem).

All pups mouth the leash a little in the beginning, IMO. I personally felt it was best to wait to find out if it's really something that was an issue instead of just a puppy phase. Depending on the temperament of your pup, holding him down and squeezing his mouth shut on some nasty stuff for three times a day might affect his trusting you...and I think the trust is more important than the leash chewing at your pup's age, IMO.

To the OP. You said your main concern was with the dog swallowing the cotton ball. There is nothing to worry about. I have fed my dogs cotton balls on purpose (soaked in broth. they had eaten some cooked chicken bones, the cotton was to help wrap around the bones to prevent internal cuts.) The cotton comes out quite nicely. And I fed them like 1/2 cup of cotton balls, twice, a few hours apart, not just one. So if you do plan on doing the desensitizing like in Ed's video, don't worry about the cotton. It's not the best for them but I honestly don't think it will hurt him.

Yeah. My sheltie likes to eat the batting in his toys. I don't know if it comes out "nicely" but it certainly comes out. He's so rotten.

Dear Friends: I too have a pup that loves bitter apple. He has a problem eating everything in sight, or chewing it at least. He is three months old and teething. I tried soaking rocks in bitter apple and it didn't even slow him down.
When my little guy "Cody" bites me, I just hold on to his mouth, around the bottom jaw and say no and keep holding until he squirms. Sometimes I have to do it a couple of times, but soon, he decides he doesn't like it and when he wants to bite me or chew on me, he licks me instead. Of course we make a huge deal of how wonderful he is when he doesn't chew on us.
He is a realy character.
So enjoy reading all your posts. Have learned much through them.
God bless you and may you have a wonderful thanksgiving.
God bless you
sharon empson

Sharon, wet washrags or towels, wrung out, rolled and taped on the ends and then frozen make great teething toys.

Soothing to the gums and keeps them busy.....