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Why Do Dogs Drool Around Other Dogs?

By Aviram K.
Published in Training & Behavior
Updated at June 16, 2021
2 min read
Why Do Dogs Drool Around Other Dogs?
✏️ This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.

It may be weird or concerning when you see that your dog is drooling way more around other dogs.

Drooling is very natural for dogs, even if it’s around other dogs.

It’s also pretty standard for some dog breeds like Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bulldogs, and Mastiffs to drool excessively a lot of the time.

However, if drooling around other dogs is a new occurrence or not typical to your dog, you may need to figure out if something is wrong.

Generally, dogs drool around other dogs when they are anxious, stressed, very excited, or have a sexual desire for a nearby dog. Drooling around other dogs is usually not a cause for concern unless coupled with aggressive behaviors like growling and pulling the lips back.

To stop this behavior, you’ll first want to determine its root cause. So, let’s figure out the cause of your dog’s drooling when around other dogs now.

Table of Contents
01
Determine If the Drooling Is Stress-Related
02
How to Stop Your Dog from Drooling Around Other Dogs
03
Is Your Dog Drooling Around the New Puppy?
04
Is Your Dog Drooling Around Other Dogs at The Dog Park?
05
Does Your Dog Drool Around Other Dogs but Doesn’t Seem Nervous or Stressed?

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A very good indication that stress is causing your dog to drool more is when the drooling is accompanied by other behavioral or physical stress-related cues.

Here are a few cues to help you spot if the drooling around other dogs is stress-related:

  • Shaking
  • Pacing
  • Cowering
  • Lip licking
  • Yawning
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Tail tucked between back legs
  • Stiff body
  • Raised hair on the backside of the neck

If you can’t spot one or more of these signs, your dog could simply be excited or sexually aroused.

If your male dog drools around a female dog, especially one in heat, it could indicate sexual attraction. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do in that case, apart from physically separating the two dogs.

How to Stop Your Dog from Drooling Around Other Dogs

If the drooling cause is not stress-related (excitement or sexual desire), you can try calming your dog down.

Do this by taking a short timeout away from the other dogs by taking a walk, changing the activity, or distracting him with obedience commands.

If the cause is stress-related, you could do a couple of things to get your dog to be more comfortable being around other dogs.

Is Your Dog Drooling Around the New Puppy?

If your dog is drooling more around a new puppy and seems nervous, he may need some more time around the puppy before he calms down.

Take it slowly and monitor the dog closely to see that he’s not being aggressive in any way (barking, growling).

If your dog is still drooling more around the pup after you had given him some time, it may be a good idea to contact a dog trainer in your area to work on that.

Is Your Dog Drooling Around Other Dogs at The Dog Park?

If your dog is drooling more at the dog park, take it easy when you get there. Or, preferably, avoid it altogether until he’s used to less crowded encounters with other dogs.

First, make sure your dog is comfortable meeting dogs on a one-on-one basis. You can set up doggy dates with other dog owners or just spontaneously do one when meeting one on your walks with your dog.

Then, introduce your dog to one dog at a time and gauge his stress levels and response.

Give him the time he needs. You may need to stay away from the park’s central area (with the most dogs) until he gets used to it.

Does Your Dog Drool Around Other Dogs but Doesn’t Seem Nervous or Stressed?

If your dog doesn’t seem nervous, stressed, or excited around other dogs at all, you’ll want to have a vet check your dog out to rule out medical problems.

The vet could also prescribe a mild mood-elevating med, which I don’t recommend as a first solution.

Still, if all else fails, a med can help your dog relax and slowly learn that being around other dogs is (usually) not stressful.


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Dog Behaviors
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