Monthly Behaviour Tip
Are you struggling to make the choice about having your Desexed?
Worried it might change your dogs behaviour or personality?.....
Are you struggling to make the choice about having your Desexed? It is a big decision, especially with all the talk about how it may change your dog’s behaviour or personality. I wanted to iron out some myths and help make the decision easier for you.
Firstly, there is no scientific evidence that the desexing surgery is linked to changing a dog’s personality. The only changes in your dog’s behaviour that you may witness after having him/her desexed is a calmer pet due to the reduced hormone drive. The instinct to mate and reproduce is intense in undesexed dogs, and can lead to all sorts of restless, frantic and even aggressive behaviours, whether escaping from your backyard, partaking in physical fights with other dogs or marking with urine. Your pet may behave in a much calmer manner after being desexed, not because his/her personality is suddenly transformed, but because his/her mind isn't constantly being driven by sexual hormones.
Sometimes during the two weeks post surgery your pet may behave differently, perhaps depressed, frustrated or just generally sad. This change in behaviour is more likely due to the frustration of the bucket on his/her head (which is necessary to reduce wound licking and infection), depression from being confined (to reduce over-activity that may lead to wound inflammation or opening), or maybe sensitivity from the wound, which may be confusing to your pet. However, once everything is healed up, and routines are back to normal, so will your dogs behaviour – and your previously crazy, fun-loving, bouncy dog will be back!
Desexing your dog, particularly at the recommended young age of around six months (prior to the influences of the sexual hormones influencing your dogs routine behaviour) will not only help to reduce multiple illnesses that may arise in entire dogs, but will also assist in making your dog a happier, more relaxed dog that strives to spend time with you and your family.
Veterinary Nurse Kirstie Hancock is qualified in animal behaviour with her Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services through the Delta Society. She has lots of great tips and ideas when it comes to misbehaving pets. Keep an eye out for her monthly tips on our Facebook page. Also check out her own business Facebook page - Positive Paws.
Archived previous tips:
July 2017 blog article - Desexing Myths
June 2017 blog article - Winter time
May 2017 blog article - Loose lead walking.
April 2017 blog article - Are you going camping this Easter?
March 2017 blog article - I don't understand
March 2017 blog article - Producing an A Pup!
February 2017 blog article - Our pets love us unconditionally!!
February 2017 blog article - Heart disease / Valentines Day
December 2016 blog article - Christmas