Questions regarding spaying and behavior change

AthenaClimbs · 12-13-2011, 03:50 PM

Hello,
We are probably going to spay our girl around 9-11 months (after her first cycle). I'm been hearing that I shouldn't spay my girl because it will make her more aggressive since she won't be able to distinguish other dogs, get confused and will act out on both males and females. I thought this was such rubbish but thought I'd find out anyway.

Is spaying my girl going to cause her to play/treat other dogs differently.

Also, I hear they gain a lot of weight after they're spayed and have to go on a completely different diet.

Freestep · 12-13-2011, 04:09 PM

I have not noticed one bit of behavior change in my females after spaying. Well, except for one, who used to attack my other dog when she was in heat--she stopped doing that after she was spayed.

Bitches gain weight after spaying because their owners feed them too much. Spaying decreases the metabolic rate, which means it takes fewer calories to keep the engine running. No need to change the diet, just feed a little bit less, and your dog will maintain a healthy weight.

shannonrae · 12-13-2011, 04:16 PM

There was a "study" done on dog reactivity in spayed vs. intact females. I found it in a veterinary med. journal. At this time I cannot remember any specifics about the article (if you are interested PM me and I will try to dig it up for you when I have more time). The findings of the study were that spayed female dogs could potentially be more dog reacitve than intact females.
I have never noticed this to be the case with any of my females. I think also that the study had many variables (as most do).

Snarly · 12-13-2011, 04:41 PM

I have had only 3 spayed female GSD's before, none had any behaviour changes. Nova is my current one and there was no change, except weight gain. She can ONLY eat a maximum of 2 1/2 cups a day without getting fat. Where before she pretty much ate what she wanted.

AthenaClimbs · 12-13-2011, 04:47 PM

I guess that's sort of my next question.

Have you noticed your GSD more reactive to other dogs since they got nuetuered or spayed?

Snarly · 12-13-2011, 04:52 PM

Yes, actually I have. Nova used to ignore other female dogs but she now tries to mount them when I am not looking. She got in a dog fight not long ago because of it. She chewed the dogs neck up pretty horrible. Her first fight ever. I felt horrible and got bit by the other dog while breaking them up

.

RocketDog · 12-13-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarly

Yes, actually I have. Nova used to ignore other female dogs but she now tries to mount them when I am not looking. She got in a dog fight not long ago because of it. She chewed the dogs neck up pretty horrible. Her first fight ever. I felt horrible and got bit by the other dog while breaking them up

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarly

I have had only 3 spayed female GSD's before, none had any behaviour changes. Nova is my current one and there was no change, except weight gain. She can ONLY eat a maximum of 2 1/2 cups a day without getting fat. Where before she pretty much ate what she wanted.

Snarly · 12-13-2011, 06:47 PM

None before her had behaviour changes. My bad

. I don't know if the mounting is due to spaying but thought I'd add it in there. That was after my previous post. I have a bad habit of typing something, posting it and then thinking of other things I should have included

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketDog

N Smith · 12-13-2011, 07:04 PM

From what I have seen (with clients) is that spaying an already reactive female has (in most cases, not all though) made the females more reactive. If she is fine before, she will most likely be fine after.

As for the weight gain, just watch her like you normally would. If she puts any weight on, you lessen her food intake, if not, she keeps eating like normal.

Jessiewessie99 · 12-13-2011, 09:10 PM

Nope. Molly was spayed and was the exact same dog before and after the spay. She is not more aggressive, not dominate. She is just a sweet, spoiled, athletic, energetic, diva.

12-13-2011, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
AthenaClimbs Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 137	Questions regarding spaying and behavior change Hello, We are probably going to spay our girl around 9-11 months (after her first cycle). I'm been hearing that I shouldn't spay my girl because it will make her more aggressive since she won't be able to distinguish other dogs, get confused and will act out on both males and females. I thought this was such rubbish but thought I'd find out anyway. Is spaying my girl going to cause her to play/treat other dogs differently. Also, I hear they gain a lot of weight after they're spayed and have to go on a completely different diet. __________________ Athena 6.09.2011

12-13-2011, 04:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	I have not noticed one bit of behavior change in my females after spaying. Well, except for one, who used to attack my other dog when she was in heat--she stopped doing that after she was spayed. Bitches gain weight after spaying because their owners feed them too much. Spaying decreases the metabolic rate, which means it takes fewer calories to keep the engine running. No need to change the diet, just feed a little bit less, and your dog will maintain a healthy weight. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-13-2011, 04:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
shannonrae Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 606	There was a "study" done on dog reactivity in spayed vs. intact females. I found it in a veterinary med. journal. At this time I cannot remember any specifics about the article (if you are interested PM me and I will try to dig it up for you when I have more time). The findings of the study were that spayed female dogs could potentially be more dog reacitve than intact females. I have never noticed this to be the case with any of my females. I think also that the study had many variables (as most do). __________________ Sydney(rescue)-Pit cross Birbo(rescue)-GSD Until we meet again . . . Bear(rescue)-GSD, my soul mate. Kai-(rescue)GSD, my forever baby. Kobie-Pomeranian, my tiniest dog with the biggest heart.

12-13-2011, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
AthenaClimbs Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 137	I guess that's sort of my next question. Have you noticed your GSD more reactive to other dogs since they got nuetuered or spayed? __________________ Athena 6.09.2011

12-13-2011, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jessiewessie99 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lakewod, CA Posts: 6,807	Nope. Molly was spayed and was the exact same dog before and after the spay. She is not more aggressive, not dominate. She is just a sweet, spoiled, athletic, energetic, diva. __________________ Jessica-Shelter Volunteer Molly-GSD ✔ Certified Ninja Dog Tanner-GSD ✔ Certified Lovebug RIP: Max & Simba "No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible."-George Chakiris, as said by Agent Derek Mogan

12-13-2011, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Snarly Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 120	I have had only 3 spayed female GSD's before, none had any behaviour changes. Nova is my current one and there was no change, except weight gain. She can ONLY eat a maximum of 2 1/2 cups a day without getting fat. Where before she pretty much ate what she wanted.

12-13-2011, 04:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Snarly Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 120	Yes, actually I have. Nova used to ignore other female dogs but she now tries to mount them when I am not looking. She got in a dog fight not long ago because of it. She chewed the dogs neck up pretty horrible. Her first fight ever. I felt horrible and got bit by the other dog while breaking them up .

12-13-2011, 07:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
N Smith Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 310	From what I have seen (with clients) is that spaying an already reactive female has (in most cases, not all though) made the females more reactive. If she is fine before, she will most likely be fine after. As for the weight gain, just watch her like you normally would. If she puts any weight on, you lessen her food intake, if not, she keeps eating like normal.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement