BehaviorHealth Related BehaviorWhy Does My Dog Drool At The Dog Park?

Why Does My Dog Drool At The Dog Park?

Dog’s drool at the dog park because of excitement. When a dog gets excited, they produce excess saliva. When they run around with other dogs, the extra saliva will drool down their face. Another reason dogs drool at the dog park is stress. Dogs that haven’t been adequately socialized will likely be stressed at the dog park.

Taking your dog to the dog park is a great way to get your dog out of the house and let them socialize…not to mention all the exercise they’ll get!

It’s also a great place to work on training. If you can get your dog to obey your commands in such a distracting environment, getting them to obey commands at home will be simple!

However, one thing you may notice when taking your dog to the dog park is excessive drool. Is this normal? Why does it happen? And is there any way to make it stop? We will be answering all these questions in today’s guide.

Before Taking Your Dog to The Dog Park

Any time we talk about dog parks on this blog, we want to make sure we cover two important topics. Safety and Leashing. If you already know these basic rules and want to learn why your dog is drooling, skip to the next section. However, if you’re new to the dog park, don’t skip this section.

Safety

Before letting your dog in the dog park, observe the dogs in the park along with their owners. You want to ensure your dog can socialize and exercise safely in this environment. If there are any aggressive dogs with owners allowing them to run freely, you may want to consider a different location.

Leashing

Make sure your dog is leashed when approaching and entering the dog park. This allows you to remain in control and provides training opportunities in this setting.

This also ensures that you can safely remove your dog if there is aggression from other dogs (or yours) in the park.

When the dog park has become a place they are familiar with and contains dogs that they are comfortable with, you can work towards letting them off the leash.

Why Your Dog Drools at The Dog Park

Before we get into the causes of excessive drooling, it’s important to understand that drooling is common for dogs.

Certain breeds (such as boxers and bulldogs) are more prone to excessive drooling due to the anatomy of their mouth and snout.

You may find yourself wiping their mouths, while other dogs (such as labs) may hardly ever drool.

However, if you notice that your dog ONLY drools excessively at the dog park, that typically means something is triggering the drooling.

Below are the six most common reasons dogs drool at dog parks.

Stress

Although dog parks are an excellent place for your pup to socialize and play, they can also be a stress-inducing environment for your furry companion. Stress and anxiety can cause excessive drooling in your dog.

But what exactly is it about the dog park that causes stress? It can be a number of things, including the high volume of dogs in the park, the noise level, being around people they don’t know, or the location of the park.

Be alert to your dog’s body language and remove them if you see signs of stress.

Some dogs may take longer than others to get adjusted to new environments and new dogs. Be patient and use this opportunity to socialize your dog at their pace.

Excitement

For some dogs, dog parks are the most exciting part of their day. Drooling is a natural response to excitement, and one of many ways dogs show that they’re happy.

Be sure to observe your dog’s body language and be on alert for changes, especially when first introducing the dog park. This ensures you’re keeping your dog and others in the park safe should your dog’s excitement become overwhelming.

If your dog looks happy and is running around with other dogs, the cause of drooling is most likely from excitement.

Nausea

Like humans, dogs can experience nausea from situations they are in. Nausea can occur from the car ride to the dog park. It could be from being in an unfamiliar environment or changing your dog’s routine from what they are used to.

Nausea (as you know) causes excessive saliva, which results in drooling.

Heat

When dogs become overheated, they’ll begin to drool. Bring water with you any time you leave the house with your dog, especially on hot days.

Playing on hot days can cause exhaustion and heat stroke. Excessive drooling goes along with panting, indicating your dog needs to cool down.

Poisonous Environment

We all know dogs have a tendency to get into things they shouldn’t. When you take your dog to the dog park, there’s always a chance they’ll come into contact with something poisonous.

Maybe they got into a toxic plant, or maybe they came into contact with a frog or other small creature that can cause your dog to have a reaction.

Wherever you go, be alert of potential hazards in your dog’s surroundings.

Oral Health

When dogs have oral health issues, you’ll notice excessive drool. When we think of oral health issues, we often think of tooth decay, tartar buildup, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Although these are all common oral health issues for dogs, they don’t relate specifically to the dog park.

If your dog came home from the dog park drooling, they may have damaged a tooth or got a cut in their mouth. Be sure to carefully inspect their mouth and look for any injuries.

When to Be Concerned

When it comes to drooling at the dog park, there’s usually nothing to be concerned about. Although we went over six causes, the two most likely causes are stress or excitement.

However, if you notice your dog’s drooling has become excessive outside the dog park, contact your veterinarian.

It’s better to be on the safe side and eliminate any serious medical causes before they become severe.

Other signs of concern to look for in addition to drooling include: pawing at their face, loss of appetite, refusing to drink water, and having trouble swallowing. If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Getting Your Dog to Stop Drooling at The Dog Park

To address the issue of drooling, you need to get to the root of what’s causing it. If it’s oral health, address the issue, whether it’s an infection that requires antibiotics or the removal of a tooth.

If the drooling is from nausea, with the guidance of your veterinarian, you may be able to offer motion sickness medication before your trips to the dog park.

If you find the drooling is due to stress, remain with your dog through these situations. Provide them with a safe place, praise, and treats throughout the process of introducing them to these situations.

If it’s excitement, unfortunately there’s not much that can be done. For some dogs, drooling is a natural response to excitement. On the bright side, at least you know your dog is having fun!

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