If you are bringing a new puppy home, you may be surprised to find your resident dog starts to drool around the new puppy, and you may be wondering why this is so?
One theory is that it’s just a way for your dog to calm down after a big change in the family.
Most dogs (especially those who are older or who are the only dog in the house) may experience mild stress when a new puppy is brought home. This stress may cause them to drool, urinate, or defecate. This is a dog’s normal reaction to stress.
Others believe that it’s because the resident dog is excited to see a new member in his family and is welcoming him to the pack.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to make your dog feel at ease with the new puppy in the home to ensure that they can live in harmony.
To do so, you will need to know what’s causing your dog to drool around the new puppy and work on addressing these triggers.
A Sign Of Stress And Anxiety
When your dog drools around a puppy, it usually indicates anxiety. Dogs who are not well socialized often exhibit this behavior.
Once your dog gets used to his new companion, this behavior will disappear after a few days.
Of course, if this behavior persists, you would need to work on easing his stress and anxiety.
Dogs that don’t know how to adapt to changes in their environment are more likely to behave this way.
By providing your dog with a safe and comfortable home and going through some socialization training, you can help him overcome this undesirable behavior.
Begin by gradually introducing your dog to the new puppy. Start by putting the dog in his crate (a place where he will feel safe and comfortable) and bring the puppy close to his crate for him to sniff.
This will allow him to get used to the scent of the puppy and learn how to remain calm in the presence of the puppy.
Once he is familiar with the puppy’s scent, start letting him out of his crate and let him interact with the puppy.
Do keep a close watch on him for any signs of aggression or fear.
If your dog does not seem comfortable, put him back in his crate and wait until he is ready.
Sight Of A New Pack Member Excites Him
Drooling is a normal instinct of dogs. It is common for a dog to drool when they are excited about something. This can happen when they see their owner, or if they are introduced to a new puppy.
However, an overexcited dog can be of danger to the small puppy because he might injure him accidentally though it is not his intention.
He simply feels excited and wants to play with him.
You will also find the dog keeps sniffing the puppy as he tries to find out more about this new companion that is going to be part of his family.
A dog that is highly aroused will act in an outwardly excited manner. He will have an open-mouthed grin with a drooping tongue, and not be able to calm down.
You may also find him panting, bouncing around, and vocalizing continuously. Also, he might get a little mouthier and chatter his teeth.
If your dog is not properly trained in socialization, he may not know what to do with his excitement and will react inappropriately.
Jealousy Is Showing In His Drooling
There are a number of ways your dog can express his emotions, and it’s important to recognize this.
There are some instances in which he may drool excessively or show aggressive behavior towards other dogs as a result of jealousy.
Jealousy is more common in some breeds of dogs such as French Bulldogs, Australian Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers.
Though a dog’s jealousy is a normal part of life, if your dog is showing signs of jealousy towards a puppy, then you need to take action.
You won’t want to wait until your puppy gets hurt, right?
There may be stress for your dog due to the changes in his routine and the amount of attention he receives from you as a result of this new pack member in the family.
In order to prevent your dog from getting aggressive with your puppy, make sure that you are paying him as much attention as he needs.
Let him know you are always there for him, even when you have a new puppy. You should always have food and water available to him, as well as a comfortable place for him to sleep in.
Having his basic needs met will help him to feel more relaxed.
Dogs also need exercise to stay fit and healthy and to burn off some excess energy in their body. So, make sure that your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise on a daily basis.
Keeping both his mind and body active will ensure that he remains in good shape and behaves well.
Dogs that are jealous can cause damage to their social lives, but if caught early, it can be resolved.
Trying To Claim the Puppy Through His Saliva
Drooling can be interpreted as an attempt to possess the “ownership” of the new puppy. By covering him with his saliva, he is telling the world that this puppy belongs to him.
This is a natural behavior for a dog that sees the young puppy as his child. He wants to mark the new puppy with his own scent and to let other dogs know that this is his child.
There is nothing wrong with it. It is just a way to say “I claim this puppy as my child!”
Sexual Attraction Towards Older Puppies
When your male dog reaches his sexual maturity (between 12 and 15 months of age), he will begin to show signs of arousal. This is often accompanied by a very strong urge to mark territory and mount on female dogs.
Because of this, your dog may begin to drool around an older female puppy as he is being aroused by her.
This phenomenon usually occurs when a female puppy reaches a stage of sexual maturity (between 7 and 10 months old) or when she is in heat and has been “picked” up by your male dog.
If you are concerned about your dog’s sexual behavior, it is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about what can be done to help your dog.
Usually, your vet will recommend neutering the dog if he is already more than 6 months old.
Health Issues Causing Excessive Drooling
If your dog drools often despite the absence of other possible causes, like excitement or anxiety, you should consider sending him to the vet for a checkup.
In particular, this is true if he stops eating and keeps drooling. This could be a sign that something is amiss with his teeth, mouth or tongue.
There are other causes of drooling, such as digestive issues, illness, an allergic reaction, or an ingestion of a toxic substance.
It is important that you address the problem as soon as possible if this is indeed the case. Take your pet to the veterinarian right away.