Many people unknowingly train their dogs to wolf down objects by rushing up to them and pulling things from the puppy's mouth.
I almost NEVER do this. If the pup has something I want, or need, her to spit out, I do one of 2 things:
I take the collar and pull up gently until she spits it out. This ALWAYS WORKS. As the puppy spits it out, I say OUT, good puppy, and give a treat.
OR
I TRADE for whatever the puppy has. I trade a cookie, another toy, whatever.
You can start playing the "trade" game now. It's a great way to teach puppies to spit out whatever they have without ANY struggle.
My pup will spit out ANYTHING in her mouth if I say spit it out, because she knows a cookie is coming.
I would explain to your husband that gut surgery will run about 1000.00US if there are no complications.
That should get him keeping the gate up.