Why is my dog drooling around puppies

Dogs drool. It’s what they do. And when we get a new puppy, suddenly our dog is drooling more than ever! But why? Is it because the pup is getting all of their attention, or does the dog sense something unfamiliar in the air? In this blog post, I’ll share 5 reasons why your dog might be drooling around a new puppy.

Here’s The Short Answer To Why Your Dog Is Drooling Around Your New Puppy:

Your older dog drooling around the new pup can be attributed to stress and anxiety. They could be feeling territorial, protective, and uncertain of the new addition to their family. This feeling usually subsides once they become comfortable with the idea of another dog in the house.

6 Common Reasons Why Dogs Droll Around New Puppies

Here are more of those reasons in detail:

1. They May Be Stressed or Anxious

Just like humans, dogs can become stressed or anxious when new things happen in their lives.

When a new puppy comes into the home, it can cause a lot of upheaval for an older dog who may be used to being the only pet around. They may not understand why they are now sharing their human’s attention and may feel threatened by the new pup.

This feeling then can trigger a wide range of reactions, including drooling. Drooling is one of the ways dogs may try to express their anxiety or stress and can also be accompanied by panting, pacing, whining, and even urinating or defecating in inappropriate places.

In order to confirm if it is indeed the new pup that is causing your dog to drool, try to remember the last time your dog exhibited these behaviors. Did they droll a lot when you bring them to the vet? Did they droll a lot during thunderstorms or during fireworks on New Year’s eve?

If your dog’s usual response to stressful situations like these is to drool, then it’s highly likely that your new pup causes your dog to feel stressed. But don’t worry, I’ll share with you a few tips you can do to help your dog adjust to the new addition later on in this blog post.

2. They May Be Excited

Just like we get excited when we see a new puppy, dogs can get just as excited when they see a new puppy.

Dogs may start to drool excessively and wag their tails rapidly when they see the new pup. They may also try to play with the pup and lick it all over its body. This is usually just a way for the dog to express its excitement and show that it welcomes the new addition to the family.

Although excitement is usually harmless, it’s important to discourage your dog from getting too excited around the new puppy. When they play, older dogs may get over-excited and end up hurting the pup accidentally without realizing it.

This is why it’s important for you as a pet owner to monitor your dog whenever they play with the new pup.

When you see your older dogs getting too excited around the new addition, don’t hesitate to step in immediately.

In addition to excessive drooling and salivating, here are some common symptoms to look out for when your dog is excited around the new puppy:

  • Panting
  • Random pacing
  • Barking
  • Teeth chattering
  • Full body shaking

A good way to discourage your dog from getting too excited is to tell them “no” firmly and then redirect their attention to a different activity. You can also walk your dog away from the pup or try distracting it with a toy or treat.

Most dogs will naturally calm down and stop drooling around the new pup within a week or so. However, don’t let your guard down too soon. It’s important to monitor your dog for at least the first few weeks even after their drooling has stopped.

If your older dog’s drooling doesn’t subside after a week or two, it is possible that they may be experiencing stress or anxiety from the new addition and you should consult with your veterinarian.

3. They Have Medical Issues

Many dog owners may not realize that excessive drooling could be an indication of a medical condition.

Dogs may drool for many reasons such as stress, excitement, or anxiety.

However, if a dog’s drooling does not go away within a few days, it is possible that they have a medical condition and should be taken to the vet.

Some common medical issues that can cause dogs to drool excessively are dental disease, nausea, and tumors.

Veterinarians can perform a thorough exam of your dog’s mouth, teeth, and throat to make sure there is not an underlying physical cause of the drooling.

4. They May Feel Jealous

It is possible that your dog may be drooling and acting out in jealousy when you spend time with the new puppy.

Jealousy is a common cause of behavioral issues in dogs, and can even lead to depression if left untreated. Jealousy often occurs because the older dog may feel neglected or unimportant compared to the puppy.

They may not want to be around their owners as much and may try to cause a scene every time you come close to the puppy, or even just when they think you’re going near them.

One way that you can tell if your dog is exhibiting symptoms of jealousy is by observing their body language. If they seem uncomfortable around you whenever your attention goes to the puppy, they are most likely feeling jealous.

Some of these behaviors include avoiding eye contact with you altogether, refusing to be held, and snapping when you touch them.

If your dog shows any signs of jealousy around the new addition, it’s best for everyone if you spend time with them away from the puppy while you work on introducing them to each other slowly.

5. They Are Scared of the New Puppy

If your dog seems nervous or afraid of the puppy while they are drooling, it could be because they are scared.

You don’t want your older dog’s negative feelings towards the puppy to escalate into dangerous behaviors, such as growling or snapping.

When your dog is scared around the puppy, they may tremble while keeping their distance from them. They may also show signs of fear like cowering, darting their eyes around nervously, and lowering their body while squatting low to the ground.

A dog who is scared may also snap when touched or avoid interactions with the parent altogether to keep their distance from the scary puppy.

Before this behavior turns into something more serious, you should consider consulting with a licensed animal behaviorist to help you correct this issue as soon as possible.

6. Sexual Desire

In some cases, a dog may drool when they see the new puppy because they are sexually attracted to them.

If you have a male dog who becomes aroused around your female pup, he will most likely try anything in his power to get near her. This behavior can quickly escalate into your older dog trying to mount or hump your puppy which can be very dangerous for both of them.

If your male dog starts showing signs of sexual desire around the puppy, you should keep them separated until you can consult with a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.

Some ways to separate them include using a baby gate or kennel so they cannot cross paths at any time, making sure the puppy is always supervised when outside, and keeping your male dog on a leash at all times.

How to stop your dog drooling near new puppies

Here are some tips to help your older dog adjust to the new puppy:

1. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible.

As much as possible, try to keep your older dog’s routine the same when you bring the new puppy home. This will help them adjust more easily and prevent them from feeling too much upheaval in their lives.

2. Give them plenty of attention.

Make sure to give your older dog plenty of attention when the new puppy is around. This will help ease their anxiety and make them feel more secure.

3. Introduce them slowly.

Don’t just throw the two dogs together and expect them to get along perfectly. Instead, slowly introduce them to each other so they can get to know one another. Start with brief periods of time together, gradually increasing it until they feel comfortable with each other.

4. Don’t force it

If your older dog continues to growl followed by any signs of aggression, don’t force them to spend time together. Instead, you should consider separating them while you work through their issues. This is to ensure everyone’s safety, especially the puppy’s.

5. Talk to your veterinarian about getting them some help

If you’ve done everything that you can and your older dog still drolls when the puppy is around accompanied by any other concerning behaviors described above, it may be best to ask for help from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.

Your veterinarian might be able to prescribe some medication that can help your older dog calm down and feel more at ease with the new addition to the family.

Conclusion

If you’re having trouble getting your dog to stop drooling around the new puppy, try to keep their routine as normal as possible and give them plenty of attention. Introduce them slowly and don’t force it – let them come to terms with the new addition at their own pace. If you’re still experiencing problems, talk to your veterinarian about getting some help.