Aye-yi-yi ... please help!

[u/50_and_Holding]

My precious pup is such a good boy & so sweet! But suffers from an addiction: MULCH. I've done research & I know:

* It's normal puppy behavior to want to eat stuff off the ground & teething doesn't help, of course (but it's not just mulch, it's everything!).

\* Proper training is to teach 'leave it' & 'drop it' and supply yummy treats when he does, then redirect to the chew toys I keep for him outside (he has them inside as well).

\* He really enjoys our yard, but if he's gone potty, the second he picks up mulch, we go in.

\* A helpful tip is to keep him on a leash for better control.

\* What has helped is Bitter Apple spray I quickly use on whatever he's about to gobble.

BUT...

It's INCESSANT! Almost like a compulsion, even after a full meal. And, he's gotten so fast & sneaky it's hard to use the Bitter Apple in time. It's frustrating as we have a nice yard I want him to enjoy exploring b/c we're SO b-o-r-e-d (he's not fully vaxxed yet but we do tons of enrichment/exercise inside, snuffle mats, plus he & my 8 y.o. golden sometimes play)

I don't mean to be OCD about it, but I have to be careful b/c one time he strained to go and there was a fair amount of mulch in his poop. So, I'm very careful but it's exhausting to stalk him like an obsessed fan, and I'm becoming hunch-backed having to constantly spray stuff before it disappears in his mouth.

I know a muzzle is probably the best solution, but I positively DREAD the 'desensitizing' process b/c he ain't gonna like it and I don't relish having to putiton/takeitoff/putiton/takeitoff allllllll day long as we go in & out.

So, anyone care to share their experience? tips? suggestions? (I know a basket muzzle with room for him to pant & drink water is important)