Why is My Dog Drooling Around the New Puppy?

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Dogs suffer from excessive drooling for several reasons. Dr. Rory Lubold, DVM, shared that while drooling in dogs is typical as it helps them digest food, you will notice that the amount of saliva produced is average. It’s a different story if your dog is drooling too much. You have to find out the causes. On the other hand, if you explicitly ask, “Why is my dog drooling around the new puppy?” there’s also another reason for it.

Why is My Dog Drooling Around the New Puppy?

Why is My Dog Drooling around the New Puppy? Stress can be a prevailing reason for dogs to drool. Dogs exhibit excess drooling around other dogs when they are more excited than usual. Your dog can simply be more stimulated by being introduced to a new puppy. It is important to keep an eye on how your dog is reacting to the new puppy and that the excess drooling around the puppy is from excitement and does not lead to aggression.

Yes, you may be thrilled because you brought home a new puppy, but that is not the case with your resident dog. It may irritate him immediately. Watch out for signs of stress as dogs may become aggressive when reacting to stress. When they salivate, you can also notice other signs of anxiety, such as panting, restlessness, or diarrhea.

As much as possible, do not lead him to a situation that will make him feel overwhelmed. For instance, your dog is not used to having a stranger running up to him and kissing him, but here goes the new pup doing just that. Older dogs may generally ignore it, but at some point, he’ll tell him to back off. It can, therefore, disrupt the serenity at home, particularly if they are of different characters or temperaments.

What Causes Excessive Dog Drooling and How to Deal with It

According to the American Kennel Club, here are the reasons dogs drool excessively. It also suggested ways on how you can prevent them:

Dog Breeds– For some breeds, too much drooling can be a problem. Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs are only some breeds with loose upper lips, where saliva gets collected, causing them to drool more than other dogs. Water also gets stuck in the extra skin around their lips that when they shake their heads, the liquid flings through the air.

What you should do: This is not a situation that will require you to visit a veterinarian. Just keep a hand towel, for instance, or a bib, so you can immediately wipe off the drool before it gets to the floor. Always clean your pet’s face as well each time he drinks or eats, again, to avoid the saliva or water from reaching the floor or furniture. You may also think about tying a handkerchief around his neck so it will soak up the drool.

Mouth and Throat Issues– If your dog can’t swallow normally, saliva will build up from his mouth that can therefore lead to drool. One cause for his difficulty swallowing can be tartar buildup as it rubs against the inside of his lips, which causes him to drool. Other reasons may also be gum irritation, mouth ulcers, or a fractured tooth.

What you should do: You can try to check his lips, gums, and teeth. Are the teeth brown? Are the gums bleeding or red? If you see brown or yellow plaque deposits or you notice inflamed gums, your dog requires dental cleaning. Are you making sure to brush your dog’s teeth every day? If not, make it a habit. (Make sure to try out our Homemade Dog Toothpaste recipe.) In the meantime, bring him to a professional to have his dental health checked. The vet can also check for other causes, such as mouth ulcers.

Stomach Problems –Once your dog’s stomach is upset, he will drool. For instance, he ends up eating something that he is not supposed to, like a dirty sock. This may lead to his stomach getting distressed and therefore make him drool. If he accidentally consumes a poisonous plant or cleaning agent, you may see him drooling, shaking, and vomiting.

What you should do: Waste no time. Go to your veterinarian immediately!

Other Health Conditions – Heatstroke can also lead to drooling because a dog pants to cool off. Sinus infections, nose and throat issues, and after your dog has a seizure can also make your dog slobber. On the other hand, drooling is also a symptom of liver and kidney diseases and rabies.

What you should do: It’s best to consult with a veterinarian if you notice excessive drooling in your dog.

How to Handle the ‘First Meeting’ of Dogs

To stop your older dog from excessively drooling because of the stress brought by the new puppy at home, you will have to incorporate a different approach for their first meeting. The Humane Society of the United States suggested ways to introduce your resident dog properly to the new pup/dog.

Introduce them outdoors. – It’s ideal that you let your dogs meet for the first time on neutral territory. Bring them outdoors. Walk them on a leash separately. Ask someone to walk the other dog for you. Keep them at a distance where they can see each other but are not threatened by each other’s presence.

Reward them with food or treats if they are not showing aggression or hostile behavior toward each other. Repeat this more often until they get used to each other’s presence. (Try our super simple Baby Food Dog Treats Recipe).

Take notice of the body language of each dog. – Always be watchful of their body language. See if one or both are looking defensive or guarded, such as giving a prolonged stare, growling, teeth barring, or hair standing up on their back. If you see them showing one of these signs, stop their interaction immediately and calmly. Bring their attention to other things.

On the other hand, if you notice that the dogs are getting comfortable with each other, bring them a little closer by shortening their distance. Give them treats whenever they look at each other with calmness.

Be patient with the pace of the introduction. – You are not the one to determine the pace of the introduction. The dogs will tell you when they have already gotten comfortable with each other. It can be that they will start to play with each other during the walk. It can also be that they will not want to walk alongside each other yet. It may take more time, so you have to be patient.

Do not force them; Experiment. Let them walk near each other, with one dog in the front and the other at the back. Then do a switch. If they maintain calmness even with the proximity, try to walk them side by side.

Keep track of their behaviors at home. – If you let the two dogs meet at home, use a tall baby gate or any similar item to separate them. Observe their conduct. If they are interacting positively, you may give treats as rewards. If you let them roam around the house without the gate anymore, make sure that you leave no food or treats that will cause them to fight. Continuously monitor how they interact when together and act accordingly.

If you already did everything to let them live together peacefully, but you are not successful, you may seek help from a professional trainer. An expert might be what you need to correct the problem.

How to Calm Stressed Dogs

Since we have already talked about your dog’s stress, it may also help you as a dog owner to know how to calm him whenever he gets anxious. Consider these suggestions from Central California SPCA:

Take your dog out for some exercise.– Your dog may feel like you’ll abandon him because of the new puppy. To avoid this feeling, You take him out for a walk or play ball with him outside. Make this your bonding time. This will make him feel that both of you are still connected. Additionally, exercise can help alleviate stress—similar to humans.

Touch him.– Touching your dog is letting him know you care. Pick him up and cuddle him. There’s nothing more that can help soothe an anxious dog than your touch.

Give your dog a relaxing massage.– Massage therapy is also one way to calm your dog’s stressed muscles. Begin from the neck, then move downwards through long strokes. Let your one hand hold your dog while your other hand gives them a relaxing massage.

Play calming music.– Music therapy is as helpful to dogs as it is to humans—play relaxing music, classical music to be specific, as it can work as a natural sedative.

Give him some time-out.– Calm his nerves. Place him in a safe and noise-free location. You can play some music, use low lights, and use aromatherapy for dogs. You may also consider using calming coats. This helps a lot, particularly if the cause of anxiety is a stranger, as in the case of a new puppy you just brought home.

We hope this article helped answer your question, “Why is my dog drooling around the new puppy?” Plus, give you some positive solutions to the issue. Introducing a new family pet can be a joy, but there might be some kinks to work through first. It’s important to always try things that are in the best interest of all of the pets in the family. Some patience and consistency can help make everyone healthy and happy.