Stop Lab puppy mouthing with enrichment toys

A 5-month-old Labrador mouthing everything is completely classic — they're deep in the teething phase and Labs in particular are bred to carry things in their mouths, so the urge is genuinely intense right now. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for most dogs, and the right enrichment toy can redirect all that oral energy into something productive rather than your furniture or hands. To point you to the best option: what's the main problem you're trying to solve — is it the mouthing during calm times, when you're busy, or when they're left alone? And have you tried any chews or puzzle toys so far?

That's really helpful. The chew sticks disappearing fast tells me he needs something that fights back a little — something that rewards him for working at it rather than just being consumed. How intense would you say he is? Does he give up on things quickly once the easy reward is gone, or does he keep at it?

Perfect — a persistent Lab is actually the ideal candidate for this. My clear recommendation is the Kong Classic, sized Large for a 5-month-old Lab. Here's why it works so well for your exact situation: you stuff it with something like peanut butter, kibble, or banana and then freeze it overnight. Frozen stuffing turns a 2-minute chew into a 20–40 minute focused session, which is long enough for you to get through a work call without a puppy attached to your arm. The rubber is tough enough that he won't demolish it, and the unpredictable bounce if he bats it around adds a bonus bit of engagement. The key is always having one ready in the freezer — when he starts circling you, you hand it over before the mouthing starts, so you're redirecting proactively rather than reacting. One Kong isn't really enough; most owners find two or three in rotation works best so there's always a frozen one ready.

Yes, Large is the right call. Labs grow fast and at 5 months he's already got a sizeable jaw — a Medium could become a choking risk as he gets stronger and starts compressing it more aggressively. Kong sizes their products by adult breed weight, and a male Lab sits firmly in the Large category. The bigger size also holds more stuffing, which means the session lasts longer. Just check the Kong size guide when you order — they list it by breed which makes it straightforward. One more tip: for the first few sessions, make it easy (just a smear of peanut butter, not fully packed) so he learns the Kong equals reward, then gradually make it harder as he gets the idea.