[Judi W]

Is he disabled and is that why you are picking him up?

I would suggest that you work on him with his toys without putting your face in his face. There are better ways to teach him tolerance. Get a toy that the two of you can play fetch with which is a cooperative venture. If you are giving him something to really have a chew with, allow him some time to enjoy it, and then call him for another game or to go for a walk. He is warning you of things he finds distasteful. While you do not want him to be all guardy over things, you must also teach him with respect. Teach him that there are other things to do with you, and I would suggest that you also find other things to do with him that are not treating him like a human baby (carrying, kissing). Teach him that coming to you for a game is a really good thing. Going for walks is an even better thing. Offer him an alternative to what he has or is doing, but make it a positive alternative.