it not the item as such its the having interaction with you thats the clincher that builds the bond,
dont worry about any of that stuff about the pup dropping the item, he just doesn't get what you want, he's young, he's also only a few months old
If your getting stressed about any of that stuff , leave it and just have fun interaction with him, because if you are the biggest fun in his life he will automatically want to bring things to you
most of all be patient , try and let the behavior come from inside dog without prompting,
in a few months when his drive kicks in, use a seco