O.K. I probably can make the area that he pottys in acorn free, but what about as he gets more freedom as his leg gets better? The one thing that I can start working on right now is tracking and I don't really have time to go somewhere else to do it. Is there a way to marker train him to stop eating them, or use a correction?

My rememdy is white vinegar, I'd soak a sock in it and leave it "available", In my experience once they get the tast of vinegar they don't go back-usually one sniff is enough, its how I stopped my dogs from chewing/collecting. Has to be plain white vinegar-not cider or anything fancy. Good luck.

I was only referencing the sock thing as it being pretty much the same as the puppy eating the acorns. We've addressed the sock problem by making sure the dog has no access to socks. That's much more difficult with the puppy eating acorns.

If he does not have a "leave it" command, you should teach him that first. Do it in an area away from other distractions (including acorns). It is one of the first things that I teach a new dog and usually begin in the house where I can control the environment completely. I would do this in the usual way with markers, repetition and corrections (only after he understand what is expected of him).

Next, I would set up a "classroom" for him. There is no reason why you can not bring some acorns inside to begin teaching him that "leave it" also applies to acorns. Again, with markers, repetition and appropriate leash corrections. Once he has it indoors, you can set up an outdoor "classroom" (with acorns strategically placed) in an area that has been cleared of natural acorns (not his potty area). If you want him to be off leash at some point, I would switch from leash corrections to an electric collar for corrections. This will all take time and may not be something that you want to do. But, this is what I would do. Good luck and remember that the acorns will be back next year.

Now that makes some sense. Thank you Mary.

 Quote: Mary K.Pope

If he does not have a "leave it" command, you should teach him that first. Do it in an area away from other distractions (including acorns). It is one of the first things that I teach a new dog and usually begin in the house where I can control the environment completely. I would do this in the usual way with markers, repetition and corrections (only after he understand what is expected of him).

Nice post!

(I start almost all commands, including the recall, fetch, and, as Mary is saying, the "yuck" command, in a distraction-free room, just me and the dog.)