Skip to main content

How long after neutering a dog does behavior change? These are the differences you might see

Neutering can bring a few changes, but don't believe these myths about the procedure

We’ve all heard Bob Barker’s famous advice to fix our pets and help reduce the population of unwanted cats and dogs. It’s a good message to follow, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see any side effects or that the surgeries carry no risks.

After all, any time a human or pet goes under anesthesia, there’s a small risk of serious complications; not to mention other possibilities, like an infection at the site. But what about other unwanted changes, like to your precious pup’s personality? We’ll walk you through what to expect when you get your dog neutered.

Related Videos
Dog runs through the lawn with a ball

What changes to behavior might occur after a dog is neutered?

Keeping a dog intact can cause a number of unwanted behaviors, including humping, marking, and wandering to find a mate. These should go down or even cease after the operation. You also may notice a decrease in some aggressive or anxious behaviors, especially if they are caused or exacerbated by the presence of a female in heat. On the other hand, certain types of aggression can increase in specific dogs, most prominently those neutered at a very young age, and you should discuss your unique animal with your vet before the procedure.

How long after neutering does dog behavior change?

In the days following his neutering, you could see a few common symptoms, such as lethargy and perhaps a little pain. Follow your care instructions to the letter to avoid complications and much of the strange behavior after neutering your dog will resolve as he heals. Some behaviors, like marking, could stop as soon as you bring your pup home, but it will take up to eight weeks for all the testosterone to leave his system.

Over the course of these two months, you should expect a few small changes; however, most owners don’t see big differences outside of changes to these typical pre-op traits, like excessive humping. One word of caution: Don’t go into neutering expecting a 180 on his mannerisms. Stick with consistent, positive reinforcement training to work through any issues.

Dog with a vet

Don’t believe these myths about neutering

It will change his personality

While some minor shifts should be expected, you won’t see any big changes in personality after the operation. Many temporary changes will go away as soon as he recovers from surgery, and hopefully, you’ll find the exact same pup after.

He’ll become overweight

After undergoing the procedure, your pet’s metabolism could change, but that just means you should adjust his calorie intake or exercise regimen. Once you find that balance, your pet won’t have any adverse effects.

His risk of cancer will increase

There are no two ways about it — the data here is complicated. Some cancers absolutely decrease, like testicular tumors, while others may increase. It comes down to many factors, including breed and age, when neutered.

While there are pros and cons to “fixing” your dog, it’s important to keep the population of unwanted puppies down. If it turns out this particular operation isn’t right for your pet at this moment, you can look into others, such as a dog vasectomy or delaying neutering and keeping him from other canines until he’s ready. Always work with your vet to determine which path is right for you and your pup.

Editors' Recommendations

How long can you walk your dog in cold weather? Experts tell us
How long should you walk your dog in winter? Canine experts weigh in
A pug wearing a sweater walks through the snow

Walking your dog might be a breeze on a balmy summer morning, but a wintertime stroll could be a very different story. From slippery ice to disastrous wind chills, you really never know what you might run into. Luckily, though, with just a little knowledge and preparedness, you'll be more than ready to walk your dog in cold weather. As for preparing yourself for the cold -- you're on your own with that one!

To help you keep your pup as warm as possible while doing their daily duties, we've asked a few canine care experts about the dangers of walking your dog in the winter. By the time you're done reading, you'll be ready to prepare for your next cold-weather stroll.

Read more
4 ways to uplift your dog’s mental health and why it’s so important
How to keep your dog's mental health at its best
A happy Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever smiles at the camera

You may not see it overnight, but the pet industry is changing. Owners and professionals alike are watching pets become part of the family instead of simple companions. This means the way people care for their pets is changing, too, and they all seem like changes for the better.
Pet mental health is a new topic that's taking the spotlight thanks to these changes, which is why we asked Renee Rhoades, the head behavior consultant at R+Dogs, about the importance of dogs' mental health. The things owners can do to keep their pups feeling fulfilled are surprisingly simple, so read on to learn about the easy changes you can make for your own dog. You might also be surprised to see how similar human and canine mental wellness is!

Why your dog's mental health is so important
If you've ever faced depression, anxiety, or another mental health concern, you'll understand just how important it is to safeguard your emotional well-being. Even short experiences with mental illness can change a person's perspective permanently, and the same can be said for our canine friends. If you need to see it to believe it, just look at the depressed dogs in shelters!

Read more
Keep your pup and your wallet safe with dog health insurance – what you need to know
There are a lot of dog insurance plans: How to pick the right one
A dog mom kisses her white and brown puppy

No one likes dealing with the bureaucracy of health insurance, so you might be hesitant to sign up your pet for a dog health insurance plan, but it can save you money and reduce your stress in an emergency. Just like with your health coverage, there are many options, including accident-only and a few that cover preventative care. While there are some things that are almost never covered, like vaccines, you should try different combinations to find the right one for Fido. Keep reading to learn more about dog health insurance.

How does pet insurance work?
It's a lot like health care for humans, only you'll likely submit claims afterward and pay the full amount to your vet. The insurance will then send you a check for the portion it covers. Research carefully, though, before selecting a plan. Some include in- and out-of-network vets and nearly all don't cover preexisting conditions and other routine care, such as yearly checkups.

Read more