My unspayed dog is aggressive and alone. Can she adapt to my schedule?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this is a sudden behavioral change I would have her examined. She could be painful or not feel well and she is acting out because of that. It is better for her health to be spayed, she is at risk for an infected uterus which is an expensive surgical emergency. Hormones can affect temperament, so it MAY help but it might not be the solution. If her exam and blood work are normal, you can have her spayed then consider training and medications to control her aggression. I hope this helps and I wish you and Bella the very best!

A bitch spay is a big operation and it takes a dog a good while to settle from it due to the pain and anaesthesia. This could certainly have put her out of sorts. I would give her another week or so to settle and if she is no better then, it may be personality clash and would be best to speak to s behaviourist.

Arya has been through a lot this week so I would give her a little time as she will still be very sore and disorientated from the anaesthetic. She may need a stronger painkiller so you could ring your vet. If the aggression continues over another week, I would contact an animal behaviourist before it gets out of hand.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately, spaying (or neutering) does not have significant impacts on any aggressive or temperamental behaviors. It tends to reduce sexual behaviors (and eliminate the risk of pregnancy and infections of the uterus), but there is no guarantee that spaying her will change her behavior. I would consult with a Veterinary Behaviorist who can make recommendations for Kali's specific behavioral issues, as not all are treated equally. I hope this is helpful!

That’s hard to say. Certainly her hormones can make her more unpredictable and prone to mood swings. If only she could talk and tell you! There could also be an element of her maturing into an adult dog now and this will sometimes change things in her idea of the human pack structure. Because of situations like this, I recommend to spay or neuter all pets who are not intended to be breeding animals. It tends to keep them more even keel and generally exhibit less signs of aggression or dominance. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I would strongly recommend that you take Marley to a Veterinary Behaviorist. They are very different than dog trainers, and can help you and him become more comfortable around other people. This should be done as soon as possible because it will take time for him to adjust. I would also have a sit down discussion with your family on what you expect his care to look like while you are gone. Somebody will have to feed him, take him outside to potty, give him mental stimulation, and be able to take him to the vet for care when needed. I understand that this is a very difficult time for you, and I hope that things will work out for Marley!

Hello. I can understand your anxiety, & there are some studies to suggest that some breeds are better off being neutered after a year or so of age, but for the most part, there is no danger & there is no greater likelihood of advanced disease in these animals. I always remind people that many women need to have hysterectomies for various medical reasons, & while the vast majority of these surgeries happen after puberty, there is no known significant increase in cancer, Alzheimer's, endocrine disease, etc. in these women. You will be hard-pressed to find any veterinarian who has been in practice longer than 20 years who will say there has been an uptick in medical problems in neutered animals. Pets are living longer & healthier lives because of this, & while we are still not making a huge dent in the pet overpopulation program & the number of puppies & kittens euthanized each year, we are trying. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.