Dog behaviour change for the worst post neuter

[Anonymous]

I had my dog, a 5lb chihuahua neutered at 9 months old. Prior to that he was very good. Didn't bark at things outside - people, birds, other sounds, and hardly whined. When the doorbell rang he was excited to meet the guest. Now, we are 6 weeks post neuter, and the last 3 weeks have been so difficult. He suddenly barks at everything, whines, is much more clingy than before, is much more nervous.

I worked so hard training him as a puppy so he would be super socialized & good, and it worked, and it's like having him neutered threw it all out the window. I'm working on training again but it just seems like he's less confident now, and in general more worried. Is this common?

[Anonymous]

It’s the age not the neutering. Yes regression from 9-12 months is common. Just stay consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the age not the neutering. Yes regression from 9-12 months is common. Just stay consistent.

+1. He's becoming a teenager. It's normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had my dog, a 5lb chihuahua neutered at 9 months old. Prior to that he was very good. Didn't bark at things outside - people, birds, other sounds, and hardly whined. When the doorbell rang he was excited to meet the guest. Now, we are 6 weeks post neuter, and the last 3 weeks have been so difficult. He suddenly barks at everything, whines, is much more clingy than before, is much more nervous.

I worked so hard training him as a puppy so he would be super socialized & good, and it worked, and it's like having him neutered threw it all out the window. I'm working on training again but it just seems like he's less confident now, and in general more worried. Is this common?

Sounds like a healthy and happy Chi!

[Anonymous]

Chihuahuas bark. That's their main pastime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I worked so hard training him as a puppy so he would be super socialized & good, and it worked, and it's like having him neutered threw it all out the window. I'm working on training again but it just seems like he's less confident now, and in general more worried. Is this common?

I did everything possible to socialize and expose my puppy to new things. I felt like I had really gotten it right, she was a well-rounded, happy dog. At one years old she began to get scared and nervous and now is anxious about everything. With some dogs it just comes out as they age.

[Anonymous]

That’s literally what chihuahuas do. If this bothers you, why did you get this breed of dog?

[Anonymous]

Patience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s literally what chihuahuas do. If this bothers you, why did you get this breed of dog?

Kinda have to agree. They're neurotic, nervous barkers.

[Anonymous]

I have never met a chihuahua that hasn't barked insanely.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is possible that taking away his testosterone has made him more nervous. Currently there are studies being done to try and figure out how often neutering leads to an anxious and reactive dog. Early studies are showing that in some dogs taking away their testosterone lowers their confidence. They are also trying to figure out if the age of when a dog is neutered has something to do with it. The benefits of neutering and spaying in general are now being more closely looked at.

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/effects-of-neutering-on-undesirable-behaviours-in-dogs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s literally what chihuahuas do. If this bothers you, why did you get this breed of dog?

Kinda have to agree. They're neurotic, nervous barkers.

They were bred to be guard dogs/alert dogs. It’s no different than complaining a hound likes to sniff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the age not the neutering. Yes regression from 9-12 months is common. Just stay consistent.

That's why our puppy trainer, also does teenage training starting around 9 months. I thought we were fine after puppy training, but realized why she suggested it. It was very helpful, so many new teenage behaviors to work on.