Does Neutering Change a Dog’s Personality?
A big question many dog owners ask is whether neutering changes a dogs personality. While certain behavioral traits and habits do change with neutering (for better or for worse), the general personality (basic temperament and intelligence level) of the dog remains the same.
For some dogs, it is possible to get depressed following a neutering procedure. However, these feelings are self-limiting and often associated with stress and pain. In most cases, the depression is fully gone a day or two after the procedure.
Neutered dogs can completely finish their recovery period and get back to full and normal activity in as little as two weeks.
If your dog is aggressive after neutering, you are likely concerned about this abrupt behavior change.
Myths About a Dog’s Neutering Procedure
There are many myths surrounding the neutering procedure. Indeed, these myths are still quite popular and are hard to die. Below are several common myths.
However, the most popular myth revolves around the widespread assumption that neutering can help solve all behavioral problems in dogs.
In fact, many people believe that neutering has a positive impact on aggressiveness.
The truth is, neutering does decrease certain aggressive behaviors, but on the other hand, it tends to increase the intensity of others.
According to the ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the term “aggression” refers to a wide variety of behaviors that occur for a multitude of reasons in various circumstances.
It encompasses an array of behaviors ranging from growling and lip snarling to attacking and biting. Different dogs express aggressiveness differently and with varying intensity.
Regardless of the expression form, aggression always stems from feelings like fear or anxiety and the innate inclination to protect and guard.
There are different forms of aggression in dogs, including:
These different forms of aggression can be expressed towards family members, strangers, or other dogs and pets.
The most common trigger for aggressiveness in dogs is fear. It can stem from inadequate socialization or negative experiences (abuse and neglect).
Can aggressive dogs be retrained? Yes, it is definitely possible to retrain and successfully manage an aggressive dog. However, the process is long, challenging, and requires the help of trained professionals – canine trainers and behaviorists.
It is important to remember that aggression is not a disease and therefore it cannot be cured. It is best to consider it as a specific condition that requires permanent management and close collaboration with vets, trainers, and dog behaviorists.
What Behavioral Changes Can You Expect?
Strange behavior after neutering dog is exhibited in a variety of ways. So, while one dog may gravitate toward their bed and avoid playtime, another may exhibit combative or nervous behavior. Additionally, if you notice strange dog behavior after neutering, don’t ignore the fact that they may be experiencing issues separate from the neutering. To learn more, visit our post answering the question, “why is my dog acting weird?”
Generally, there are four frequently occurring behaviors to look out for:
Additionally, your dog may act more excitable or even confused upon first coming out of the veterinary office. While this behavior may be a short-term result of the anesthesia or pain medication, it could also hint toward a more long-term behavioral change.
Immediately after surgery, dogs are often irritable. It’s easy to imagine being a little testy after waking up from an extended nap, and they often will feel disoriented and confused.
The problems arise when the aggressive behavior lingers for days or even weeks after the surgery. In these cases, this type of behavior may be a result of any of the following:
However, most dog aggression is not a result of hormonal imbalance but a type of fear reaction. Growling, barking, or acting intimidating could be your pup’s way of trying to act tough when they’re actually agitated and panicked.
As such, keep a close eye on your dog in the weeks after their surgery to help identify what triggers their aggressive behavior.
Is your dog spending more time in its bed than usual or are you finding vomit in the living room when you wake up in the morning? Nausea is a frequent post-surgery side effect in dogs as well as humans. As with all puppy health problems it should be closely monitored for the safety of your pooch.
Some key reasons for nausea after neutering include:
It’s normal for your dog to experience nausea the first day after surgery. However, if vomiting persists, you should consult with your vet immediately. Consistent vomiting can lead to dehydration and may be accompanied by abdominal pain, feelings of depression, weakness, and poor appetite.
A dog needs to rest after surgery. While neutering is a minimally invasive procedure that’s performed daily in veterinary offices, it can still take a lot out of a dog. Don’t be surprised if your pup wants to take an extra-long nap or even sleeps through the rest of the day.
But, if your pup exhibits low energy levels for several days following the surgery, it may indicate that something is inhibiting the recovery process. Likewise, there may be an underlying issue if the lethargy begins to manifest in other ways, like:
Judge your dog by how they acted before the surgery. If they’ve always preferred an evening on the couch over an extra-long walk, perhaps their low energy is nothing new. But if your marathon runner pup hasn’t left the doggy bed, it could be cause for concern.
On the other end of the dog mental health spectrum, there’s nervousness and unease. It may surprise you that these people-pleasing, loyal companions deal with feelings of uncertainty regularly, but it’s actually a regular occurrence among furry friends.
After surgery, your dog’s fear drive may be significantly heightened, resulting in problems like:
Once you’ve picked up your pup from the vet and tucked them into their bed, it may be beneficial to give your dog space to calm down after the surgery and adjust to any hormonal changes they may be experiencing. If they’re already prone to skittish or loner behavior, it may heighten during this time.
Be patient, give your pup plenty of TLC when they’re in the mood, and they’ll most likely return to their snuggly selves when they’re fully recovered. Maybe even treat them to our dog birthday cake recipe!