strange foaming at the mouth

• 03-20-2008 9:19 PM

  nataliem Joined on 03-31-2007 MN Posts 293 Points 10

  strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact I don't really know where to post this... My dog has a low grade of dog aggression so we have been going to the dog park for socialization but every time she goes to the dog park she start to develope a white foam around her mouth about 5 minutes after ariving there. It's not drool but it's like what you get with soap foam and there is a lot of it, it covers all her lower jaw and then start to fall to the ground.  It's almost looks like she's rabid!  None of the other dogs at the dog park have that.  People have been giving her strange looks like she's sick.  She does seem to be overwhelmed sometimes when there is a lot of dogs running around but she acts fine and even palys with some dogs.  Do healthy dogs foam at the mouth when in stress?

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• 03-20-2008 10:16 PM

  In reply to nataliem

  jennie_c_d Joined on 09-10-2007 Southeast Georgia Posts 8,566 Points 75	Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact Teenie certainly did, so I'd say it's possible. She did it mostly when she was tired (from exersize or acting out). It is drool, just not in the slippery liquid form, LOL  Mischeif N Miracles, CGC, RE (PRT, 10/13/2003) Libby's Monkey N The Middle (Chinese Crested, 1/26/2008) Teenie Weenie at the Bridge (Dachshund, ???-12/28/2007)
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• 03-20-2008 10:49 PM

  In reply to jennie_c_d

  janetmichel3009 Joined on 11-28-2006 Beijing, China Posts 2,266 Points 370	Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact yup. i'm pretty sure it's a sign of stress. honestly, maybe the dog park isnt the best solution for socializing your dog, with him having slight dog agression issues. maybe some slightly more controlled environment. i hear training class is an excellent way to socialize... :) Janet
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• 03-21-2008 1:46 AM

  In reply to janetmichel3009

  nataliem Joined on 03-31-2007 MN Posts 293 Points 10

  Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact It's funny but I've only imagined dogs infected with rabies to do that like in the Old Yeller.  My dog never drools, she pants when hot, but no drool.  The foam is very white and very noticeable I try to wipe it before anybody sees it but it just keeps on coming.  It looks a little scary on a black dog. The dog doesn't really act stressed, she runs around and sniffs other dogs and plays with them.  She does avoid some dogs. Maybe it's to scare other dogs from her rabied self? lol. We don't go to the park anymore though.

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• 03-21-2008 2:58 PM

  In reply to nataliem

  AuroraLove Joined on 11-26-2007 Posts 1,070 Points 330

  Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact I agree that the dog park is not a good solution for trying to fix this behavior. You have to consider the other dogs who are there trying to enjoy themselves. Having your dog on a leash with so much stimulation around is actually causing your dog to be more anxious around the other dogs and is ultimaltely doing more harm then good. Your dog needs to be desensitized to the presence of other dogs. What kind of previous socialization has your dog had? Meaning what did you do with him as a puppy? You could start by grabbing a pocket full of treats and walking to the dog park. As soon as your dog starts to display this behavior you should stop, put him in a sit and give him a treat for his attention. Wait until he calms down......this could take a while. Keep distracting him with the treats until he reaches a calm state then go home. The next day try to get a little closer......so on and so forth and reward him with treats to distract him and keep him calm. This exercise should be done when your dog has had a bit of time to release pent up energy so he isnt at full throttle. Exercise him at home or away from the park before you attempt this.

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• 03-22-2008 4:14 AM

  In reply to AuroraLove

  janetmichel3009 Joined on 11-28-2006 Beijing, China Posts 2,266 Points 370

  Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact i think i know what you mean about him not acting stressed. but some types of stress are pretty hard to read in a dog and the foaming would be one indication. of course i could be totally wrong. kinda hard to tell over the net, ya know. i have a dog with fear related dog agression issues as well. as for me, i juat gave up the whole dog park type of situation. we dont have dog parks here, but downstairs of my apartment complex is a similar situation where most dogs are unleashed. i just try to take them outside when other dogs arent there and when we encouter off leash dogs i carry him, so he is removed from the situation (some people argue, that makes things worse, and i guess it might be true for some dogs, but it has proven to work well for me, and actually helped him a lot). on walks we do the same, and all i ask of him is to calmly walk past other dogs, as long as they dont come up to him. i think that is a more realistic goal and once you have achieved that (your dog ignoring other dogs) you could go from there and see how much more you can achieve, given a safe environment... anyways, i know what it's like and it's a pain.. i feel for you! :) Janet

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• 03-22-2008 10:06 AM

  In reply to nataliem

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,940 Points 715

  Re: strange foaming at the mouth Reply Contact I would bet this is stress related.  Perhaps you could take the addresses and phone numbers of a few of the dogs at the park that she does play with, and set up play dates.  It sounds as though she'd be more social and less worried in a smaller or quieter group of dogs.  Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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