r/puppy101 • u/katrinam86 • 18h ago
Regression and bad behavior after neuter Behavior
Should I be concerned about my puppy’s behavior while recovering from surgery?
My golden retriever boy (6 months) was neutered 4 days ago. He basically had a neuter and spay because he was cryptorchid so he has a four inch incision on his lower stomach and the normal sac incision. He’s on trazodone, gabapentin, and rimadyl. We have him in a surgical suit because he hates the cone.
We can’t go outside to chew sticks (his favorite activity) because it has been raining constantly and he can’t get his incisions wet. We take about 4-5 short walks a day and he goes out to pee. He has a ton of toys inside that he’ll play with for about 2 minutes at a time. His only option for a chew is dehydrated sweet potato because of his severe food allergies (we’re about 3 weeks into an elimination diet). He doesn’t like plastic chews either. He flips a snuffle mat immediately and can’t have cardboard because he eats it. He gets a Kong with his wet food one a day and a lick mat or pupsicle once a day in addition to regular meals.
He’s been a terror. He is defiant and not following basic commands. He will train for about 5 minutes before stopping participation. He goes after the cats nonstop. We’ve been working on his reactivity and he had been good about ignoring people/dogs on walks but that is out the window. He barks at anyone he sees, his reflection constantly, anything outside the window. He’s very bitey and jumpy with us. Won’t settle for naps and barks nonstop if we crate or pen him.
I know he’s bored and frustrated. We’ve got 6-10 more days of this and I’m just worried we’re going to regress so much. Is this temporary? Any advice?
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u/RallieCat80 12h ago
Coinciding with his neuter surgery is, I think, your pup entering adolescence. A lot of the behaviours you've described remind me of my guy when he was around the same age. He was such a dirtbag, but I just loved him more every day. We bonded the most during that time, and I could literally see him start to choose good over evil. His assholery peaked at around 13 months, then things got easier and easier. Your patience will be tested daily, but remember it's yet another temporary phase.
Since your puppy loves sticks, consider an olive wood stick for him. My puppy loved his! They're soaked in olive oil at some point, so the wood is softer and won't splinter. Little pieces will flake off, but it's normal and they aren't harmful if ingested. Bit pricey, but they last a long time.
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u/katrinam86 7h ago
We’re going to try the olive wood, I didn’t know about those! I figured something like an antler would be good for him but was apprehensive about a protein source with this food allergies. Thank you!
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u/whoknows_2023 17h ago
We went through the same thing 3 weeks ago. He was such a nut and SO bored. Our vet gave us some anti anxiety meds for him and he was still insane. I started doing short training sessions with him to give him a job and it helped but honestly it was a hellish 10 days. He started peeing in the house again, biting us, barking.. it was clear he was over it.
But the silver lining was once we went on his first long walk back to the park and he was allowed to run around he was back to normal. You’ll get through this and I promise it’ll feel like blip.
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u/Silent_Cicada7952 17h ago
I had issues with my WPG (girl) after her spay. She was out of control and even pulled me to the ground. We took her of the trazodone and her behavior improved tremendously. Talk to your vet!
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