GSD will not release toys, balls, etc. HELP! - Page 2

HOW did you use the pinch?

Are we talking using two hands rapid upward jerk and hold him off his front legs until he outs it or something a bit more gentle?

Most dogs don't need that approach.  I know it is one of the controversial ones.....................but.

You did set up a lot of rules for him, human rules which the dog understands in a different way than you do.
No Furniture: there is a reason he wants to be on a furniture, presumably to be closer with the pack , but he gets told off.
No jumping: a way to express exitment and joy to be with the head of the pack or other pack members but he gets told off again.
Nicely walking on the lead : the pack is moving outdoors, the dog has a desire to move on but gets restrained again.

No begging: dogs are scavangers, just natural behaviour to watch you eating and try to get some food , a very basic instinct
it does not mean he will rip the food off you, just waiting for his turn and again he gets told of for a instinctive behaviour.
And then it comes to chase a ball or kong which is another basic instinct, prey drive. at last the dog can fulfill one of his natural desires and then you expect him to give the prey up to you. Why should he? All the rules above made him drift away from you as the the head of the family structure and he shows this by growling at you  because he does not see you as a good leader. Pressure will make it even worse.
I know its hard to fit dogs in the human world, but by applying human values and morals to a dog you will have lost already.
I have 3 very drivy boisterous dogs from working lines (2 GSD and a Mali) and they behave well and if I wanted I could even take the food out their mouth.
There is another example how dogs associate things. when I start to develope drive in bite work some of the young dogs
would not bite the rag or bite bar but as soon as tell the handler to drop the lead a very different picture. they play and bite like mad. this has to be put down to "knagging" like jerking on lead or not giving the dog enough freedom to develope its natural drives by applying the value of our society to a totally different species.
Maybe you should be a bit more permissive with him in a way that suits both of you a little better.
All the best
Ulf

www.k9ulf.com
 

Jason , A 4 months old puppy or younger does not need to get flanked ,I don;t care how much he or she is hard .and I am sure Bernhard will not recommend that either . he does this on starter ( green) dogs before they get wise .

I just taught the ignore technique to my 9 year old son. Works like a charm.

Fine ,it is totally OK with me if some one wants to flank his or her puppy at such early stage, I would not . You have to remember that some top notch seminar trainer do things that not average trainer would do .It looks good on the seminar day but down the road causes more problem ( I am not saying he does ).I do not want to get into it with anybody and frankly  I do not Care.I have been on couples of his seminars years ago when he started to come to U.S but that was years ago .

Most dogs are not ready for the "out" under 4 months of age any way.