Close your mouth!

[Amy & Albee]

This might sound silly, but Albee's mouth is always open and it bothers us.

So, imagine you're giving an ear scratch or whatnot - and your pup's mouth is open and bumping up against your hand.

He doesn't 'mouth' but the sides of his teeth will bump your hand.

It gets on our nerves, but I'm mostly wanting to fix this behavior for when he is around others. I've never met a dog who constantly has his mouth open when he is happy! (Sounds like a lame problem to have, doesn't it?) One of our friends, who isn't a fan of dogs, feels like she might get bitten. I don't want this to be a worry to others, or small children.

Thoughts?

If we try and hold his muzzle shut, I'm concerned that he'll confuse that and think that he is biting (no bite is our command). And as expected, he'll tilt his head away, trying to get loose.

Anyone else deal with this? Should we let it go? Will he 'grow out' of it?

Thanks everyone :)

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

First - Karen, what an excellent reply! I was sitting here mulling over the question when you posted and there's not really much I can think of to add.
I guess the only thing I would add might be to point out that, on top of perfectly normal dog behavior, Albee is a retriever. What that means is that he leads with, and learns about the world with, his mouth. Watch how he behaves when you show him something new - typical retriever response is to sniff -> touch (with nose) -> taste (with tip of tongue) -> test (with teeth (not biting, typically just a gentle tooth bump/clatter, if that makes sense)).
To reiterate something Karen said, a happy and relaxed dog normally has a relaxed (and often open) mouth. Be happy that your puppy is happy.
Oh, and count your blessings you don't live with Lachlan if teeth bother you that much. I've known several retrievers over the year who were hand-holders. Lachlan likes to hold my hand when I get home from work while we walk from the kitchen (where his crate is) to the back door. It's his way of of showing that he's happy I'm home, I think, and since he has the softest mouth of any dog I've ever known and has never so much as dented my skin I'm happy to indulge him.

And last but not least, don't apologize for asking the question! ;-)

[Amy & Albee]

Jen,

Thanks for your response. I tried to relay that this doesn't bother us so much - its a behavior I question around strangers and children.

I'm too sensitive and debated not asking the question. Internet has a way of jumbling intended emotions, and I know this - but somehow I felt stupid for asking and felt like a bad owner.

I know this is my issue. But I see it here from time to time, and its tough to ask questions sometimes because of this.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Please don't feel foolish for asking a question. If we misunderstand the problem try to describe it differently. Honestly most everyone on this site wants you to have the very best experience possible with your doodle. If Kona or Owen is especially happy to see us they will take our hand or wrist in their mouths even at 7 and 3 1/2. We correct every time, but there are times they can't seem to help themselves. My granddaughter told her little brother, "He's just hugging you with his mouth." They both stop the instant we correct them but it does seem to be a retriever instinct. I've read about people who have trained their pups to never touch teeth to skin. I don't know how though.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

"He's just hugging you with his mouth." Love it! A friend of mine, and regular visitor, calls it "Lachlan's hugs" and holds out his hand for one every time he comes over.

[Amy & Albee]

This is cute, I like that. Thanks for your understanding. I love this site and everyone has been so helpful with all of my questions and supportive!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Amy, I tend toward the overly-sensitive side of the spectrum as well (hormones suck sometimes) and I know that it can be difficult when you're trying to communicate without the benefit of facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice to temper the messages. I hope that you understand that every person who answers your questions does so because s/he cares about you, cares about Albee, and cares about the relationship between the two of you.

There's truth to the old saw that the only stupid question is the one unasked.

[Amy & Albee]

Very true, Jen. I know everyone wants the best for everyone here.

We're not all experts! And I try to strip down responses and take the good :) We do everything we can to make Albee's life great, he's our baby!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Our almost 7 year old doodle has his mouth open most of the time and his chin is always wet. He is the first dog I have had that does this. Our other doodle is closed mouthed and dry. I don't think there is any way to train it out of him. Happily Kona is the most gentle dog around. No fear that he will bite anyone. It is messy though.

[Amy & Albee]

Thanks for understanding, Bonnie. I had an Irish Setter growing up, and then a yellow lab. Our in-laws have a husky and another lab. As mentioned before, this may be more prevalent in the retriever breed.

It is nice to see a smile on his face all the time! And he's very gentle, I would love to do a little therapy work with him when he is older, if the opportunity presents itself :)

[BG and Gavin]

Hey Amy, I wonder if you can post a video of this behaviour for us to get a better picture of the excitement level and see if it is indeed mouthing?  If is, I would suggest giving him something like a chew or a knotted up sock to keep his mouth occupied while you pet or groom him.

[Amy & Albee]

The only reason I didn't initially call it mouthing was because we experience that during play. He'll sometimes take our hands in his mouth and not push down - just lightly hold it there, for a second.

I'll see if I can capture him in the act!

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

Amy I know what you mean about the open mouth thing.  My puppy that I've had since he was a baby only opens his mouth to smile and show pleasure while playing or being rubbed.  So when I adopted my little girl Maggie last summer when she was about 11 months old, I did notice that she held her mouth open a lot and sticks the tip of her tongue out seemingly most of the day.  I used to wonder if it was anxiety or thirst or heat, but as time went on, I see that she is just a very happy, well adjusted, grateful little girl who just happens to have her mouth open a LOT more than my other puppy.  

Somebody already mentioned about coaching little kids how to approach Albee to pet her.  It is so tempting for them to dart their hand straight at your puppy's face or come from above and in front of them.  It happens so often when I'm out on walks, that I can only imagine that it is a natural instinct for little kids to trust like that.  So I make a point to put the puppies in a sit and then tell the kids to either kneel a little and offer their hand lower than the muzzle about a 10 inches away to allow the puppies to sniff them first, or to gently approach from the side to pet the back or sid.  Maggie still wants to turn her head and place her half open mouth softly on the person's arm or hand, but it's out of happiness and not aggression and she doesn't ever close her mouth on their hand.  She just wants to show her affection by touching her lips on their arm.  So I just make a point of holding her head while they pet her sides.  Now I just see their differences as sweet. Nothing to change about her.