Gorgeous puppy is 11 weeks now, well settled, picking up commands at lightspeed and coming to terms with his poodleness (after a confidence boost from my breeder I just shaved his face, he looks a teeny bit uneven but very handsome again, and he was very patient considering his age and my lack of experience).

But I want to know about mouthing.

Not playful nipping, or excited snapping at toys/food but the very gentle mouthing he does only to me.

It is always in loving moments when I'm gently petting him and telling him what a good boy he is, and he is so gentle I can feel the muscles of his jaws trembling with how careful he is being. He generally mouths my hands about until he has managed to get a finger or thumb into his mouth long ways (as his mum's teat would have lain in his mouth at the milk bar) and then just gently holds it there.

Am I supposed to be discouraging this? I feel it's his way of loving me back - is that actually true or am I anthropomorphising? If he gets less gentle I will say ouch and briefly withdraw my hand (and he us immediately more careful), but am I supposed to completely disallow it? We do redirection onto a toy or "too bad the game's over and we can't see you now" when he is nipping/snapping, but I just feel so mean telling him he's not allowed to give me loves in the best way he knows.

So I need advice really, will he grow out of this way of interacting? Or should I actively prevent it? I do put a bit of butter on my hands every few days and praise him "kisses, good boy, kisses" while he licks it off, and he is beginning to lick the kids when he's excited to see them, instead of nipping, but he still wants to hold my hands in his mouth during these lovey moments.

I had something similar to this with my Labrador puppy (many years ago).  She would go to sleep on my lap with one of my fingers in her mouth, very gently.  It is one of my happiest memories of her (and there are many ).  She grew out of it, and became more like a sister to me than a member of a different species.  I would say, enjoy it while it's happening.  Personally, I wouldn't worry about anthropomorphism - dogs, like us, are members of a social species and are able to relate at an emotional level as well as a physical one.

There may be more modern views on this, so take this if you wish as just an anecdote from forty years ago.

He looks lovely in your new avatar.

My youngest two both welcome family back into the house by very gently holding a wrist in their mouths. After a few seconds they let go, it feels like they're just saying they are glad to see us. I personally wouldn't worry unless it becomes harder/uncomfortable or the recipient doesn't like it.

When out walking or welcoming me back after being away, one of our dogs would sometimes run up & momentarily take my right hand into his mouth, never pressing with his teeth. At first a little disconcerting when running up from behind but it never concerned me & rightly or wrongly enjoyed it as a moment of contact between us. He didn't do it with anyone else.

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=64170.0    this might be of interest. I haven't read it recently so don't know if it covers what yo are asking but a useful article anyway

One of my previous dogs used to grasp me gently by the wrist and take me to the door when she wanted to go out.

Just a funny story. Many years ago I had a GSD who used to gently hold my hand in her mouth when going for a walk. She was a bit nervous and did this more often when she was worried (I know this isn't why your pup does this). I let her carry a well worn glove and she found this a good substitute. The first time I entered her in an obedience show she was fine when doing healwork on lead but must have been a bit unsure when I took the lead off to do heal free so she held my hand for the whole of the test. The judge and steward started laughing, which set me off. My dog just looked at us all as if to say what on earths the matter with you lot.

My first experience of 'hand holding ' was when I was about 12/13 & used to muck out horses at a smallholding. Their dog somehow knew I was coming and would meet me at the bottom of the lane (about 1/2 mile) take my hand and gently escort me.

He often walked me Home too,  about 5 miles, and made his own way back.<3

You have made me remember that my hound dog used to hold my finger or thumb and suck it when we were quiet on the sofa, now at nearly 5 it's been replaced by licking my toes in the evening, he does this with an expression of such bliss that I bear with the tickling, my OH thinks it's horrible but I don't care!

My last Bearded Collie used to be so pleased to see me if I'd been out that she would hold my hand in her mouth when I returned.  She never did press her  teeth very hard, although I could feel them.

I currently have a small crossbreed dog and at 5 years old she hasn't outgrown sucking my fingers.  I don't mind in the least.  I have always thought that it is great to be so loved. 

I wouldn't want a dog to get into the habit of this. Chances are they may well do it to other people and could leave you unstuck. Putting teeth or mouthing a human I would not be acceptable of and would stop that in its tracks.

As long as she is only doing it to you, as you obviously don't want her doing it to children or strangers who will misunderstand, and she is gentle, it doesn't seem like it should be a problem. Just make sure she doesn't think it's ok to do with other people. :-)