Think about it like this. 12 weeks ago your dog did not exist. He is a puppy. You are asking to much out of him. I don't start putting pressure on a dog until he/she is 18 month to two years old and even working with high drive dogs like GSD, Pits, Dobies.... I have never had to drag a dog, or choke one out.

Based off your post(and that is all I have to go off of), you do not have the proper ability to train and read dogs. I would find a professional.
Based off what you said about how hot it has been, lack of exercise, and the dogs age. I would say that the dog is laying down mid walk for a few reasons. 1) He is trying to cool off his belly, 2)He is out of energy.
That is the first things that would cross my mind. Not that the dog is being stubborn, or the dog is trying to establish dominance. The dog in my opinion is to young to do either at this point in its life.

You in my opinion are killing the dogs positive drives and laying a foundation for negative reactions to actions that the dog will be around for its whole life.
Basically, what I am saying is that.... You are building a nice foundation for the dog to light you up as an adult when you try to correct it, or to bit a child out of fear when it neck is grabbed.

You are also asking the dog to do things you have not shown it how to do and your response to the dog not preforming is, I will kill you if you do not do what I am asking. (EI. starving the dog of air)
How would you have reacted in math class at 5 years old if your teacher did this to you because you could not add 2+2=4?

You are in the process of building at neurotic, dangerous dog that once fully matured at 3 or 4 years old. Will be an accident waiting to find a place.

Get professional help.

Okay, at this point I am just rambling.

Welcome to the forums.

Norman, Ed has a whole section of free articles on raising pups. I highly suggest you look several of them over. Here's the link: http://leerburg.com/articles.htm#PupSect

He's got DVD's on raising working pups and marking training, and you name it. To start, I'd highly recommend the "Your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months" DVD - it addresses so many of your concerns.

The more time you can spend with your pup, the better. If you need to, put an ex-pen in your family room so he can always be around. The chewing is NORMAL, and should not be disciplined away - just redirected. Randy's ideas about bonding are important too.

Good luck.

Mr Arnold,
Possibly it would have been better as a pm, I had not thought of that.
I as many of us do have been answering posts such as this, offering advice.....all too often to have it totally ignored.
It is of course the OP decision to follow that advice or not, and that is fine.

I had stopped posting for quite a while because of "advice shopping"

I am NOT saying that this person would do that...I hope not......
I just wanted to offer my help, instead of ignoring the poster.

I wanted to offer my help in such a way that I didn't have to spend hours posting back and forth to a person who didn't intend on following or even taking my advice into account.

I tried to word my prior post in such a way as to not cause offense...I obviously failed...I am sorry if I have caused anyone offense....that was not my intent at all...I just wanted to help the OP with their pup...but do it in away that I wasn't posting to someone who didn't want to hear or follow the advice.

I guess I can go back to not answering the posts until the person has been around a while and we know they won't take off when they don't hear what they want to.

Again I apologize if I caused anyone offense...I really wanted to help the OP ....but without the risk of typing for hours only to have the person just ignore all they have been told.
I Apologize if I was out of line.

Willie

Mr. Arnold, Willie is a Ms. not a Mr. If you go back and read her valuable posts you will see where she is coming from. I value every word she writes and look forward to her posts. Please don't run her off. Her name was mentioned by a member, no doubt why she was responding to start with.

I am probably the most inexperienced person on this board. I need all the help I can get. I thank all of you for your wisdom.

 Quote: Willie Tilton

I guess I can go back to not answering the posts until the person has been around a while and we know they won't take off when they don't hear what they want to.

I can't speak for anyone but me. I do sincerely appreciate everyone's insight regardless of whether I posted or not. So thank you everyone for taking the time to respond.

Good point Aimee...one that I had forgotten........

Mariellena : I tried to send you a PM......but it didn't work....
Don't worry..I'm not going to be run off...

When folks start shopping for what they want to hear Willie, I just think its time for a little fun. And then Connie has to remind me how many people actually read this compared to the amount that post. So, if you type out some good advice, someone, somewhere, is getting it.

Good point Steve and Aimee.

Willie, I don't think you said anything out of line, or contents. You simply stated your ground rules as a trainer to help train someone else.

A responsible and honest thing to do in my opinion.

David.

Hey Willie, nothing you posted was offensive. You stated your position politely and clearly.

I do COMPLETELY understand anyone's desire to not get wrapped up in some of the strange posts that come around from time to time, but we do all learn alot any time legitimate advice is given. So even if one knucklehead ignores it (NOT calling this OP a knucklehead!!) there are others who are all going "Ahhhh... so that is how that is done"!