Change in behaviour since spay.

Since Clover was spayed a few weeks ago she seems to have a problem with men that she doesn't know. When she was younger, she used to be a bit nervous of men but had never growled. Now twice out on walks recently, she has growled loudly at an approaching man.

I don't really know what to do to help with this. Any ideas?

I don't think (although I could be wrong) that it would have anything to do with the op. Where these men wearing hats, face covered etc, Moo is a little jumpy when it comes to nthings like that, or could something else have spooked her? Xx

No one was an oldish guy on a walk one morning. He did have glasses on although glasses had never bothered her before. The other was a young lad of about 19. It was quite dark but we were on a well lit road so Im sure she could see him clearly.

How old is she now?

She is 16 months.

Well, it could be the spaying, but it may not be. If you neuter before full maturity it can cause nervous aggression, and if she was a bit nervous of men beforehand, then it could make her worse.

You'll need to train her carefully for the next few weeks - every time you go near a man get her to sit & 'watch' you. When she does, and she ignores the man, treat her. She'll eventually associate men with treats & that should help a lot.

Thank you for your advice Caryll.

Let us know how you get on.

With some pics.............

Don't know if it has anything to do with the operation. Sometimes their behariour will change at the 18-36 month range. Perhaps just watch her for a bit.

was the vet male? maybe she had a bad experience with males there

My girl defo changed when she was spayed she was so outgoing and confident before the op after she was a different dog

indigostaffs wrote:was the vet male? maybe she had a bad experience with males there

My boyfriend actually suggested this.

Im sorry to hear that Gem She's been the same at home, its just that she seems uneasy around men she doesnt know. Normally she would be quite submissive around a strange man but that behaviour seems to have disappeared and her body language turns to that of a dog that feels on edge.