dogs considered you alpha, and the licking is just a sign of affection. so encourage gentle licking. it's in their nature. his mind wants to be active, so teach him the names of things, and ask him to fetch them for you.

I wish it was just licking xD It's more "Oh joy, new toy!" and then he bites at them. He's a good boy, just needs time to really internalise that I'll never want him biting my feet xD I feel like he thinks "maybe this time I can play with them" when he picks it up again.
His idea of fetch is also coming along- he likes to bring the toy back to his crate every time I throw it, so to teach fetch I just stand by the crate and he brings the toy straight to me.

Ah teething, that is a common thing, when he goes for a foot redirect that energy to the toy (something i learned from "my cat from hell" which applies to both cats and dogs).

That works until the next play session, then we have to remind him again. It's only been 3 days (and the 1st day he was withdrawn, so more like 2) so I'm not worried. Just not a fun stage to go through xD