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My dog is now having autistic-like behaviour since she got spayed; what to do? We love her too much to give up on her.
Echo; our border collie got spayed at 6 months old. She started to change big time. We had border collies in the past and aware of the high needs the breed has. We have 5 kids who play with Echo; we are outdoors people as well so she's well simulated. So it's not about her lifestyle. I feel it may have been that she had brain damage during the spaying?
We saw a vet and point it out...she didn't show the behaviour at the vet's. So the vet found nothing wrong with her.
Her habits are:
1.) pacing from A to B for hours and hours
2.) looking up the sky and staring out in space even when called..she doesn't snap out of it until I physically push her with my hand then she snaps out of it. Tried to wave my hand in front of her eyes; she doesn't SEE me.
3.) growling when being touched and jerks up and runs off
4) hates to be touched
5.) no bond/attachment to anyone in the family
6.) a bit aggressive to other dogs..doesn't like dogs or plays with them. More into her world and ball obsessed
Asked by
Aspen
on Jan 21st 2013
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in Behavior & Training
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I would believe the fact that these behaviors appeared to become worse at the time of spaying is most likely attributed to her age and maturity and has nothing to do with her spaying. MANY dogs have major changes in their temperament and/or behaviors when they reach maturity, neutered or not.
If she is deaf, as her profile states, MOST of these obsessive behaviors can be related to that as well as other health issues which can appear with double merle breedings.
I would suspect you are also dealing with a dog who doesn't have enough stimulation in her life...pacing and ball obsession are classic examples of this, and coupled with her deafness, can make her definitely withdrawn into her life rather than yours.
All border collies (all dogs, for that matter), are different and many DO HAVE a much higher need to have a job to do and can definitely require much more exercise and stimulation.
Becoming aggressive with other dogs also comes along with maturity...it has nothing to do wit
Toto, CD, RN, CGC
answered on 1/22/13.
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I agree with Toto.
Honestly, her behaviours sound obsessive which is pretty typical for an under stimulated Border Collie. You say she spends time outside and plays with your kids etc, but what other forms of exercise is she getting? Does she get out for daily walks? Does she have somewhere to go where she can have off lead time? Do you stimulate her by teaching her new commands? Being deaf can be a challenge, but actually they can learn very fast.
The growling when being touched, the lack of bond with the family and the reactivity towards other dogs can all, quite possibly, be put down to under stimulation too. She needs more going on in her life i think.
How about joining a local training club?
Missy
answered on 1/25/13.
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