So I'm currently training a 17 week old Male Mal and I've noticed some behaviors that I'm not sure how to take them.
First he is a very high drive pup. He can focus for quite a few seconds before i release and reward. He gets so amped up for food his jaw shakes. ive asked before and some people have said thats him just letting off steam. I understand. what do you guys think. The second issue again is food related He's been known to defend his food from me if he doesnt realize its me. and I had a 17 month old female gsd walk by him and he growled. Im currently letting him go off and eat his food in peace. Think this is a good approach?
The last 2 questions are concerning drive building and basic obedience. I have been working with him with a puppy tug. He will fight with it no problem. He currently knows, sitz, platz, and stand and alittle fuss. When he has the tug and I out him(im teaching him that out isnt equal to loosing it just a restart to the game)He gets really pissed and regrips with anger it seems to the puppy tug? What could this mean? Also he will out it but he kinda chews the tug then he realizes he needs to release he quickly outs. I am working on the out and I think its just a matter of working with him more.
Thanks in advance

About his jaw shakes, that is normal for high drive.
About the food issues, imho, no dog of mine will guard food from me, there must be trust, with trust comes bonding, the dog will work better for you when there is deep bonding.
About your tug work, I can't see what you are doing but it sounds to me that your posture and the way you work the tug put the dog in a defensive mode, if it is a game to him then he shouldn't get pissed, so make sure that you keep that tug moving left and right, don't square up and hover on top of the dog, always turn to the side, if he growls while on the tug then you are making him uncomfortable, too much pressure on him, it should be a game right now, make it fun, don't put him in a uncomfortable situation.

David, here was a discussion about a 'chewy' out that you might find helpful...

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/204801/page/1#Post204801