mouthing

Question
Hi,  I have a 1-1/2 yr old neutered male golden.  We went to puppy classes, we have been to obeidence classes.  He is smart and minds really well.  The problem I have is that he mouths...a LOT. If he is trying to get your attention, he will put his mouth around your hand. He is gentle & it doesn't hurt but he does this to everyone and people don't like it, neither do I.  He will also gently grab a sleeve or glove and doesn't want to let go.  I know it is just to get attention.  Around other people, I have tried (on leash) making him sit and waiting until I think he's calm but as soon as someone will try to pet him, he immediately mouths their hand and grabs their sleeve. I have had 2 previous goldens but this one is SO mouth oriented! I am retired, I take him for an hour hike every day, he gets plenty of attention, he has LOTS of toys.  One book said to grab his muzzle and move it away and say NO.  I have done this a million & one times without success.  I also tried cuffing him under the chin every time and saying no.  He is not a puppy anymore and I am at a loss what to try next.  Please help.  Thank you.

Answer
The older the dog, the longer it takes to break bad habits.  Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find one that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens. Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords. Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. I don't trust any of the consumable chews. The dogs just gnaw them down to a dangerous size too quickly. These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.