Drooling

[Sherri]

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this or not... I am dog sitting at my house for my dad's 6 year old springer spaniel. Maggie (the springer) is not that familiar with me or my husband (I think she has met us probably 10 times), has never been to my house before and has never met my dog, Baxter (6 month old beagle/rat terrier). My dad dropped her off this morning (4/20) and will be picking her up on Sunday (4/24).

Maggie and Baxter played very well this morning before I went to work. Since I am not sure of Maggie's tolerance level around a hyper puppy, I shut her in one of our bedrooms when I had to go to work. Figured she would get some rest and both her and Baxter would be safe.

I came home at lunch to let them out and Maggie has literally drooled all over the bedroom. There was a huge puddle on the floor, the bed has many wet spots, the dog bed also has many wet spots, her paws were wet. While I sat on my deck and at lunch, she was drooling quite heavily.

My question is: Are Springers natural droolers? Is this drooling because she is in a very strange situation? Is it a combination of both?

[Krysta Smith]

Drooling can be a sign of stress or most likely seperation anxiety. I know when I left Lola in her crate one day I came home and she had drooled all over herself and her bed. I'm not sure what you cvan do about it seeing as how she's not used to being at your house but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer your questions better.

[Sherri]

Thanks Krysta..

[Jesse Cruz]

oh yes sheri, definitely a sign of distress. poor thing must of been confused as to why she was locked in a strange room. can you try gating her in a more open area?

[Sherri]

We thought about gating her, but Baxter can jump over every gate we have (that is why he now has the run of the house). I really want to make sure they are seperated when I am not home, especially after last night. Baxter is known to hide his "greenies" all over the house. Maggie found one last night and Baxter went to play with Maggie. She snapped at Baxter. I think she scared him more than anything, but I don't want to take the chance of either of them getting hurt.
I am extremley cautious due to an incident that happened with my mom's dogs over the weekend (will post the story of my moms dogs in the Doggie Chat forum Titled: Very Sad Story).. I know the same thing will not happen again, but I am not willing to take the chance..
Any other suggestions are welcome. I don't want Maggie to be more uncomfortable than she probably is.
Thanks.

[Jesse Cruz]

i read your story, so sorry. it really touched me.

as for baxter maybe you can double the gates? i heard of something like that before at doggiedoor.

[Sherri]

I got home today and Maggie had started eating the door. My husband is not a happy guy. I think we are headed to Target tonight to purchase another gate or two so we can try one gate on top of the other? Today was only a 1/2 day at work, tomorrow is another full day. Wish me luck!!

[Jesse Cruz]

let us know if it works out, i'm sure it should.

[Sherri]

Well, today I got home at lunch to let the dogs out and believe it our not.. there was no drool from Maggie.. :) Very happy day.. I still have to go home after work and see how she did, but we had a good morning.

We did put up a gate, but it is windy here in Minneapolis today and the with the windows open, sometime the door blew shut, but we are not sure when.. I shut the windows most of the way when I left at lunch.. Let's hope it doesn't blow shut again and hope that Maggie does just as well this afternoon as she did this morning..

[Jesse Cruz]

good to hear!

[Sherri]

Maggie went home yesterday. She did drool less and less each day she was with us. Friday after work was good, we did not notice any drool. We tried not to leave her over the weekend, but when we had to, she did well also. I am sure she is glad to be home, but I know if my dad needs someone to watch her again, we can and she will be better next time. Overall she is a great dog. I just wanted to make her feel more comfortable. Thanks for all of your help on this one :)