Increased aggression and barking after neutering- help!
Today was a rainy day, so he hasn't had as much exercise as he normally would have, but all day he has been barking. We took him in the car to the farmer's market, and he'd bark at every passerby--something which he's never done before. He's jumping more, and just acting more aggressive. And the barking is loud and demanding, even if he's just sitting there, unrestrained. Someone will walk into the room, and he'll run over to them and start jumping around and barking. Did I mention we're moving to an apartment with a no-aggressive dogs dogs rule in five days? (they said OES were great--but again, only if they weren't aggressive. All along we were sure there would be no problem, because Theo has never been aggressive, just over-eager sometimes) I don't want him to be one of those dogs that creates noise pollution in a parking lot. Where's my happy puppy? Does neutering effect behavior like this? What should we do to calm him down and make sure he stops barking at people and jumping? |
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| I don't believe neutering would have an effect on temperament, at least not negatively. I'm not an expert, so if you think he is in pain at all I advise you to go back to the vets to check it out!
However, my guess is that he is just growing up and is in that "wild" stage - Bingley was crazy at 6 months old. We just exercised him like mad and when he was tired he was pleasant and happy. We also did tons of "fun" obedience exercises with him - he loved the mental stimulation and it gave him something to focus on instead of devising his own amusement. Kong toys are great because it keeps them preoccupied for a while - especially during those rainy days. I am a huge fan of avoiding problems before they begin by heading them off. If you aren't able to do this for some reason, double check what kind of behavior you are doing to perhaps unconsciously reinforce his undesired behavior. If you notice you are giving him attention (even if it isn't fun attention) when he is barking, he probably interprets that as an excuse for him to keep doing it. There are a zillion different reasons for his behavior, but I am hoping it's just that crazy age. Lots of exercise definitely helps!!! Good luck!  |
| He was only neutered 4 days ago, maybe he is just feeling sore still and wanting comforting. I would not allow him to be jumping at all at the moment till the stiches are desolved or removed.
No neutering does not bring on all of a sudden bad behaviour, if anything it settles them down. Barking all of a sudden, maybe just still a bit sore and he has put up a bit of a defense & demand barking there as he is feeling sad and sorry for himself while still healing up. Hopefully it will settle down in a week or so when he is well recovered from the surgery. If not then it is something you need to work on with a very regular gentle positive training. If he barks at you, ignore him, only fuss with him when the barking stops. While barking turn your back on him and ignore, walk away if you have to, till he stops. No talking to him, no pats, no nothing till he stops, then lavish affection on him when he is quiet. Hope the barking settles down for you all. And when he is fully over the neutering a well exercised tired sheepie helps  |
| I agree with Lisa. If he was only neutered 4 days ago, he could just be cranky and should be kept calm anyway. I'm a little unsure of why you would consider jumping and barking in the manner that you've described as "aggressive?" It sounds more like he's being demanding and obnoxious but not aggressive-- at least not the type of aggressive that an apartment house would be referring to when they say that they don't want an aggressive dog. Is there something else happening that I didn't understand? |
| No way am I a doggie behaviorist... this is simply my opinion.
I agree too. I don't believe the levels of testosterone would not have dropped that quickly. It sounds more like something to do with pain or possibly the whole experience of being separated from you. Once he's healed up and pain is no longer a possibility, you might consider taking him out and building on positive experiences again. Maybe get friends to come up to the car and give him super yummy treats through the window (as long as no one is at risk of being bit). Then strangers doing the same. You might try putting him in his room with a kong stuffed with something yummy or a safe chew toy. Leave the radio or TV on for him. Get his mind off the fact that you're not there with him. |
| ohmygod - someone please tell me this dog was checked out for any surgical errors!!!..... and first of all-wouldn't it be
wearing a disc-collar, to keep it from chewing at the site? This might've been a contributing factor.....Horribly, it sounds to me that the problem is the lack of knowledge on the owner's part--about how a dog recouperates, and their oblivion as to what an animal can and is communicating to them......oh, how i pray at this late date, that there wasn't something left inside that was hurting or irritating the poor puppy....who even tried to plead it's case to visitors!.... |
| It's probably not the whole story but testosterone levels will take a month or longer to fade after neutering. There is no instant personality change but in the long run, aggressive tendencies will be lessened in a male dog by neutering. |
rfloch wrote: It's probably not the whole story but testosterone levels will take a month or longer to fade after neutering. There is no instant personality change but in the long run, aggressive tendencies will be lessened in a male dog by neutering.
Yup - and even more so in an adult dog than a puppy, but I doubt testosterone has anything to do with his new behavior one way or another - he's probably not feeling the greatest and any kind of surgery is in itself traumatic to a dog. Plus he's about that age when they tend to go through a naughty stage anyway - the neutering could have just triggered it (sudden change and discomfort). Just keep him as quiet and comfortable as possible till his incisions have healed (does he have any swelling? Did they give him any pain meds?) Mind you, neutering a dog does not lessen aggression - they've generally found that dogs that are intact have less behavioral problems than those that are de-sexed (those hormones are there for a reason, you know?)Dogs are either "aggressive" or not and neutering them doesn't change that. One positive benefit is that a neutered dog is less likely to be a target of aggression than an intact one (more of a challenge). The main benefits of neutering are no risk of unwanted puppies and no risk of testicular cancer. In younger dogs, it may also lessen the likelihood of marking. Behaviorally, neutering is no panacea. But nor do they turn into little monsters right after they are neutered. That's still a training issue. Deep breath. It'll be OK. Kristine |
| I just got my 2 year old male yorkie fixed too and I also noticed that he is DEFINITELY more aggressive now. I think that no one wants to admit that this can happen because Bob Barker has convinced us all to get out pets fixed. I wish I never did it. He was fine before, for two years everything was great. Now all of a sudden he won't stop barking at people and other dogs. Walking him as become embarrassing. |
deborahann wrote: I just got my 2 year old male yorkie fixed too and I also noticed that he is DEFINITELY more aggressive now. I think that no one wants to admit that this can happen because Bob Barker has convinced us all to get out pets fixed. I wish I never did it. He was fine before, for two years everything was great. Now all of a sudden he won't stop barking at people and other dogs. Walking him as become embarrassing.
How long ago was he neutered? If recently, could he possibly have an infection? Does he bother the incision? Are you babying him because he's an "invalid"? Sounds like he just has dominance issues. Get him under control by asserting yourself as his leader. Try searching here on the forum for some hints. An obedience class or help from a trainer will help expedite matters. Lastly, it takes at least a couple of weeks, sometimes months, for a dog to get the hormones out of his system so don't expect immediate changes in behavior. |
| Isn't 5 to 6 months a little young for the chop?
Being that young he probably hasn't come into is own yet anyway. It's possibly just another stage of developement exagerated by having the op' Exercise him mentally - give him something to use his mind - be it a simple game or challenge. Kindly make sure he knows who is the boss - that's you by the way |
| I have to agree, it sounds to me like he is trying to tell you something. I would take him back to the vet to be sure. We have Two Anatolian Shepherd . When I got them fixed everything seemed fine with Dusty but Rusty was a different dog. The very next day I took him back to the vets and they ended up keeping him another 4 days he had a infection. |
| I am in the same situation. I've had my lovely, affectionate, quiet dog for two years, after long consideration and pressure from my vet and dog groomer, I had him neutered 5 weeks ago. Since then he is very aggressive. his face is marked from attacking dogs that pass by, he barked out the back the other night ..first time ever. He isn't in pain, he is eating and sleeping, plays with me out the back but on the other hand he wants to attack every dog he sees. So I have to disagree and say this neutering malarky is not suitable for all dogs. He was perfectly fine before hand. |
| I am being pressurised into having Sprocket "done". We have never done our other 3 males and had no trouble with them. To be honest Sprox is the calmest of them all so far-he sits for attention now rather than bowling you over,heals and is on the whole well behavied-for a 10 1'2 month pup!! The vet keeps saying to have him "done" as do some customers who call round ,just 'cos they believe in it,not 'cos Sprox has been naughty. I have seen a couple of dogs who change into a very scared animal and one the got a lot more aggresive so for my opion I don't want to do it. It's interststing to hear the above comments.x |
| Don't fix what isn't broken. If he was cryptorchid, yes, it needs to be done. If he isn't, let him keep his marbles as long as he's of sound temperament. Note though as a puppy comes of age, if his temperament changes, you'll look back and wonder if you should have neutered and done it earlier. It's just natural to do the "what ifs". Remember as he ages to check-things-out on occasion... intact males can get testicular cancer. Some dogs can become scary just because they've come of age... going from puppy to adult... not necessarily due to a neuter. Mrs. J said something once about not neutering a dog again because Kobuck had suddenly become a little pervert after he had been neutered.  But it was because he'd been mistakenly been left with one testicle high in his abdomen(cryptorchid-intact). Three weeks after his neuter, he became a normal dog. I think it really depends on the individual dog, it's lifestyle and the lines he comes from. |
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