Synirr
"No one is a failure unless you try"
That's not the idea at all... The tug on the leash and verbal correction is really to break his attention from that "jump on people" mindset; like the distraction you're suggesting, but instead of just focusing his unwanted attention on something else you're breaking the cycle of behaviour altogether. It's not scolding, that's the entire point, it's just a correction. He's not in trouble, it's just letting him know that he is not to continue that path of thought, period. You may not think they're able to understand what you're correcting them for when they haven't even done anything yet, but sure enough, they do.
It's the same as if he were to try to jump up on another dog. If the other dog is dominant and doesn't want to play, it will let him know the second it sees that look in his eyes that the behaviour is unwanted.
I think the best way to train a dog is to work with their natural instincts. Right now, that jumping and mouthing behaviour is a show of dominance and means he does not respect you as the pack leader. What you have to do is make him understand that you are the leader, and he is therefore not allowed to do this to you. The pack instinct will take over and he should theoretically be a better-behaved dog on the whole if you consistently show that you are assertive and dominant while remaining calm about it. As soon as you show frustration he will pick up on it and know he has the upper hand.
