New dog aggression after neutering

[dogelover]

Hello! Lincoln got neutered 3 weeks ago and before neutering, hadn't shown one lick of aggression towards other dogs. He got his stitches out a week ago. In the past week he has suddenly become dog aggressive while he is on his leash. I've even caught him "stalking" other dogs like he stalks prey (He crouches and walks slowly towards a dog when he spots them). Once he gets close, he lunges and snaps at them. This is completely new behavior, and I am at a loss as to why it's happening! It is very concerning as we live in downtown DC where he encounters dozens of dogs daily. He seems to be okay at the dog park but has also become very mouthy and nippy with people when he is an excited state (i.e., when he's running and playing with other dogs). He nips hard enough to bruise and rip clothing; he thinks it's a fun game. Right now I'm afraid to take him to the dog park at all or let him interact with other dogs. Help!

[kjdonkers]

From what I hear from therapists etc. it may well be that he is very angry with the procedure. It can take a while for him to settle - also his hormone systems is changing.

[marcorilli]

Ive been encountering the same thing with my 1 year old who is not neutered. I live in northern Virginia Leesburg if you’d like to meet and maybe solve both our issues. My dog only attacks intact dogs because he is also intact and it makes his hormones crazy. He also croutches down. Getting a dog neutered can cause hormone imbalances and basenjis like inserting there Dominance so he may still do it even though he’s neautered. I’ve been trying multiple methods to make him stop this but mine still attacks some dogs even though this husky that he’s hated for months he’s finally played with yesterday so were seeing some progress. Basically try to to draw his attention away from the dog he’s stalking. With treats or holding him and petting him. If the other owner is nice enough you can hold your dog back tight when introducing and pet the other dog ALOT to show your dog he’s friendly.

[dogelover]

@marcorilli I'd love to meet up, I'll message you.

[dogelover]

@marcorilli The forum is not letting me message you directly for some reason...Seems like this website has been glitch lately

[Sass7656]

My moms malamute went through this. She was great with other dogs, she got spayed. A couple of weeks later she got into a fight with my moms other dog. It was so terrible my mom had to find a new home for the other dog. I think it is because they have been hurt and feel vulnerable. So they go on the aggressive. She never could be around the other dog again. Once she healed and everything settled down she was fine going to the park and doggie day care. Good luck!

[Patty]

I'm afraid that neutering isn't the answer to aggression - I know some assert this but it rarely has the desired effect. Training is the answer and I would advise you to consult a behaviourist who is knowledgeable about Basenjis. I do hope you can find the solution. You don't mention Lincoln's age.

[Zande]

You can cut out the 'how to' from a Basenji but it can take a couple of years before the brain engages and no longer has the urge to dominate / mate / whatever. Neutering can create a hormonal imbalance and it can take a while for it to settle down. We have never castrated a boy, and only spayed girls in old age to enhance quality of life or because of risk of pyo. IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion) neutering a Basenji should only be done as a last resort and NEVER before hormonal maturity - say at three years of age.

[chole99]

Our 7 year old female has these sane traits to dogs on leash, off leash no problem, no problems with people wants to greet everybody

[dogelover]

@patty Lincoln is 2 years old. We did not neuter him to fix aggression issues.

[tanza]

In 3 wks after neuter, the hormones have not changed that much... so there are other things going on

[DebraDownSouth]

There are studies from 15 years ago about spaying at the wrong time during a cycle and ending up with a permanently aggressive female. But even with regular spay/neuters a great deal of hormonal change can cause many dogs to react. It is biological but still important to stay on top of behaviors so they don't become common.

As for the fight...spayed, not spayed, neutered or not, it is not uncommon for dogs who have always been fine to have one fight and never get along again.

There are some worrisome new research about reactive and fearful behaviors with neutered dogs.

If anyone is interested, glad to share the links (too tired to fetch them tonight. Back to my normal backing up posts with links so that anyone wanting to read more can.)