Mouthing - should I allow it?

[RedAngel19]

My 6 month old lab likes to mouth me. Me more than anyone else in the house. I'm the one she's bonded to the most. We've always encouraged her to mouth something else. We stick a toy in her mouth or give her a chew toy/bone. She especially liked to mouth me if I'm rubbing her tummy. That said, she has never been a biter. Her mouthing is very gentle. Like a nibble. Never hurts as she doesn't apply pressure. Still, do you think it's a bad habit that I should discourage? First time dog owner so still learning. I've read conflicting advice. Some say it should be firmly discouraged even if it's gentle. Others say it's the dog's way of showing affection. What do you think?

She may not like you rubbing her tummy. I can’t know without observing her but people often confuse dogs rolling on their backs as inviting belly rubs when for many dogs this is a submissive or even anxious move and you may be stressing her by rubbing her.

Of course maybe she does love it. I’d stop for a while and see what happens though.

I’d always try to redirect mouthing, as you have been doing, without any reprimand.

Mine is submissive but exposing the belly is for her an invitation. She had always needed something to hold in her mouth when being fussed though. I think some dogs are just like that. I wouldn't allow mouthing on body parts as whilst it may be ok for you, it might not be for an unpredictable small child who screams or an elderly person with delicate skin.

No, it's not a behaviour I would ever encourage. What if she tries to mouth a child or a stranger in the street?

I teach my dog that mouthing is for food and toys only. As a puppy if he put his mouth on our hands, we acted like it hurt and replaced it with a toy. We also rewarded him for licking instead of mouthing.

Labs are retrievers so they are bred to use their mouths but I would encourage her to mouth on toys, not hands.

@LightDrizzle she loves her belly rubs. She always invites me by rolling over and looking at me until I give her a belly rub! I tend to rub then pause to see if she wants me to continue and will continue if she does. She loves belly rubs by everyone! However, she only wants to hold my hand in her mouth for some reason especially when I'm rubbing her belly. She doesn't really mouth anyone else, including my DH or kids.

Will follow the suggestions above and redirect with a toy. I used to do this consistently when she was younger but as she's so gentle, stopped. Will be firmer and consistent going forwards. @Goawayangryman yes, it seems like she needs to hold something in her mouth when she's being fussed like this.

Thanks all! Really helpful advice. Definitely don't want her doing this to others.

Never let a cute puppy do something you wouldn’t want them doing to others or as an adult dog

My 2 year old loves to do this as part of play but only ever with me & DH. He's very gentle and I see no reason to stop. He's only little though (7kg). I might think differently if he was a big dog