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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Change In Temperament After Spaying

by Patti
(VA)

Gillie with her brother, Jesse.

Gillie with her brother, Jesse.

I have a three year old Mini Aussie. She had a seizure at 12 weeks and they never determined a cause. Because of that, we were afraid to have her sedated and did not get her spayed. Our new vet is suggesting that we do so now. My concern is that I have read that some female dogs have a change in personality after the surgery... they become more aggressive and less loving. Has anyone had this experience? She already has some food aggression issues that we have under control. I would hate to see her sweet personality change.

Comments for Change In Temperament After Spaying

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My dog scarlet
by: Anonymous

I wouldn't say mine got more aggressive, but she did get way more energy. That might be because she got older also but way way way more energy. Also mine is a Female, and she humps my leg. A bit weird but that started after she got fixed.

She is loving when she is tired, if she is not tired she listens but is constantly needing attention.

Hope this helps.

Matt

Not Much to worry about, I think.
by: Oscar

We had our Aussie spayed around the same age but really haven't noticed too much of a difference. She is still a wiggle butt. She does seem to burn out a little quicker on fast paced exercises though. She also seems to shed a bit more constantly with a little less blowing out during those times a year. She has issues with "sharing" with other dogs but, that hasn't been exacerbated by getting fixed though.

Spaying
by: RachelAnonymous

We had our Aussie spayed the first time she came in heat because we didn't want puppies. That was almost four yrs ago and she is the sweetest non aggressive baby! we have 9 grandchildren and there has never been 1 time she has ever been less than perfect with them. Now she has gotten very "chunky" and she is very content to lie around the house while we are at work and she is "human"lol she sleeps with us her head on a pillow ect. She never chases the cows, she thinks that is my job! And we wouldn't change a thing about her!

spaying
by: Donald

I had my female Aussie spayed at 3 years old and it had no change on her temperament or personality whatsoever.

no change at all so far
by: rochelle

we had our girl spayed just before her first heat (we board her occasionally so we had to). she is almost a year old now and couldn't be better. she is loving (when she wants to be :), energetic, and she plays with other dogs really well. good luck!

Temperament changes
by: Anonymous

My aussie got more aggressive towards other animals. Dislocated our cats hip once by shaking him. He hates puppies and dogs that get in his rear area. He loves people, never aggressive towards people. I feel like I do need to watch him.

thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for your input! We still haven't decided for certain but your answers will help us for sure!

Everything seems normal...
by: Rob

We just had our 5.5month old black tri, Zola, desexed. It's only been a few days, but she is virtually the same puppy, only a little bit smoochier.

It's day 3 since the op and she's feeling good enough to want to play fetch and run around... something we can't let her do just yet.

I guess it's still early days, but as far as we can tell, no real change in temperament.

Neutered aussie
by: Wiggle butt daddy

We got our male mini aussie neutered at 7 months. I swear his temperament changed in ways:
-More defensive semi aggressive
- became a barker, he almost never barked at anything prior
-lunges or barks at children now very odd he loved kids b4
-More wary of strangers. Seems a little more fearful in general.
-Totally does not like other dogs and is even scared of the smallest puppies. Does not want any dogs smelling him

If I could take it back... i wish i could... to see if he would have turned out different. Didnt want to be that person with the dog that annoys everyone by barking non stop. He listens well one on one and is very smart. Very well trained for his age.. but if strangers or other dogs are around he is a nuisance

6 month Laproscopic Spay
by: Anonymous

Hi,
We had our 6th Month old spayed two weeks ago. She did remarkable well thru surgery. She was very reserved as far as barking before surgery, but has been a little more vocal since the procedure. She also has been extremely more wanting to cuddle then before as well. She still has extreme amount of energy. She was playing with her toys 3 days after being spayed.

Spayed at 10 months after 1 heat
by: Anonymous

My Aussie was spayed right after her first heat cycle because she is smaller and wanted to make sure she was fully developed, but she was more aggressive during her heat cycle before getting spayed and now is less aggressive and more loving and attached. She has started whining a little for attention, but aggressive behavior has gone down tremendously.

Aggressive behavior
by: Anonymous

Hello. I had mine neutered at 14 months he is now 16 months and in the first month he was completely fine but now in the second month he is starting to show signs of aggression towards both myself and my husband but only at night. I don’t know if it’s because he plays all day long without a nap or it’s because his hormones are out of whack. Any advice is appreciated.

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