Cooper is now 8 months old. We just got him out of his hunting boarding camp. He was there for two months, we visited and helped train on the weekends. Ever since he was a little pup he has always had a toy in his mouth. The trainer advised now he has been trained for birds we should not allow him to have any toys whatsoever. He is in a dog run during the day, and when I come home he gets so riled up. He runs fast laps in the backyard and picks up whatever he can find in his mouth and runs towards me. When he is in the house and before he begins walking around, he picks up socks, shoes, anything... and has it in his mouth. When excited he mouths guests.

Not sure what to do. The trainer recommends that we don't let him do what he is doing, but I don't have any strategies.

I just want to know the reason behind it, and if we should in fact take away the toys which for some reason seem comforting to him.

Thanks.
Erin