Dog Community

Perfect Angel turned Evil Devil Spawn.....

Posted : 7/26/2006 8:08:27 AM

Ralphie is an 8 month old labradoodle, who for the first 5 1/2 months we had him was the perfect dog. Learned all his basic commands and tricks, was perfect if we left him at home alone (we crate trained him when we first got him, but he was so darned good we usually left the door opened for him to go in and out as he pleased, and now we no longer have the crate), LISTENED, and was just plain good. Since I neutered him three weeks ago, he has turned into a holy terror. Tears the house apart, throws my socks in the toilet, chews furniture right in front of me..... the list goes on. I'm gonna kill him. Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed this unexpected change in a puppy following a castration or OHE, just for interests sake, since normally you would expect them to get better, not worse.

Firestorm

Posted : 7/26/2006 8:13:18 AM

HAs anything else changed in your house besides being neutered? Food, anything in normal routine changed?

Terri

Posted : 7/26/2006 8:59:44 AM

I have no scientific evidence to back this up, but I've heard that dogs who have just been neutered sometimes have a last surge of "weird male tendencies". Kind of like the last bit of testosterone coming out full force. I know right after we neutered Odin, he marked everywhere and humped constantly for about 2 weeks.

But it also sounds like Ralphie could be starting adolescence. When they're "teenagers", they seem to forget their earlier training--or just want to test their limits. Loki is still (at 1 and a half) in his teenage phase. He tries to ignore commands or get into things he never did before. Our trainer told us that you just have to be firm, not change the rules, and eventually they grow out of it. Hopefully that's all that's going on with Ralphie! Good luck.

**edited for spelling**

jeano

Posted : 7/26/2006 9:01:45 AM

Oh, I think he's just becoming a TEENAGER dog! It has nothing to do with the neutering, believe it or not, it's a phase he's going through. It is important to keep up the training with him, or TONS of exercise at the very least!

And bringing back the crate might help you out a lot.

Melissa Camiel

Posted : 7/26/2006 9:09:28 AM

I agree with jeano. He is now becoming 6 months old, which is the teenager stage. He will be a little more mischevious and stubborn for a while. Just be sure to keep up with his training and provide PLENTY of mental and physical stimulation (toys, chew bones, exercise, etc). Don't worry, he will grow out of it!!

jones

Posted : 7/26/2006 4:31:16 PM

Yes, this is canine adolescence, pure and simple. The timing coincides with his neuter surgery but they are not related. Welcome to the doggie teen age, such a delightful time! [sm=lol.gif]

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 7/26/2006 5:25:53 PM

Have fun with your teenager! I just have to say that Ralphie is adorable! He reminds me of the dog my grandparents had when I was a kid. His name was George.

RoyallyYours

Posted : 7/27/2006 1:57:32 AM

[

]It's the teen years. Fun... You'll survive it okay. He'll grow out of it and become a productive member of doggy society. At least, that's what everyone told me about my lab mix.[

]

Christian H

Posted : 7/27/2006 2:25:15 AM

Everyone here is completely correct. He is going into, the teen male stage. It happens with human male teenagers as well.[

] Doesn't is sound familiar? Testing limits, throwing things, not listening? I guess humans and dogs aren't that far apart when they are going through their raging hormones stage.[

]

Luvntzus

Posted : 7/27/2006 7:10:49 AM

Sounds like what we've got going on here.... Gingerbread helped himself to the toliet paper roll, unrolling it like a cat would and shredding it everywhere (this is while my husband and I were out our temporary roommate was "watching" him). Then last night I heard scratching sounds; I turned on the light and Gingerbread had taken a piece of paper off the nightstand. No doubt shredding was about the ensue. [

]

He also just got neutered (a week ago) and he's a year old. I think it's adolescence and I think neutering probably does cause a surge of testosterone. From what I've read, it takes 30 days for it to leave their system.