New behavior after being spayed....?

Question

My 7 month old German Shepherd was spayed about a month ago and since then we noticed that she has started barking at everyone we see when we are out, is this a new behavior or a phase?? How can I get her to stop? Would putting her back in training classes help?

Answer 1

I'm the husband half of this barking dog, currently mobilized in the Seabees. Let me see if I can describe the behavior a bit more. We started socializing and training Nikh as early as we could. Walking downtown to our local farmer's market, going to the art fair downtown, Petsmart, walking, light jogging, parks, trails, etc... We also took her to Petsmart puppy training level one and two. Throughout all of this she was fantastic. Adults, kids, other animals all could approach her without fear and she basked in the attention. What she is doing now is not any kind of happy bark to people. For example, my wife brought her down to visit me prior to me heading overseas and I introduced the dog to one of my friends. The dog was putting on what I would term bluff agression. My friend is used to dogs and wasn't afraid of her. I shook his hand and stood near him and the dog barked at him in an agressive manner. He leaned down to get near her level and let his hand hang down. She would bark and lunge at his hand and turn her head to the side when she would get close to his hand. He wouldn't move his hand and he was very calm, but any other person would have left the room after the first bark let alone the bluff lunge.

There are three changes in her life that I could think have led to this change in behavior. The first is my departure. I spent my share of time with the dog and walked with and wrestled with her often as well as attended training and worked with her out of classes as well. The second is that she was fixed and I can say by a vet that is less than gentle. We have since switched vets, but this vet was very old school and brusk. The final thing is that my wife came down and visited me for a week and the dog was left with her brother who owns two other dogs. While he is a great guy, he kind of just lets the dogs do their thing more than working with or socializing them.

I would think that to work the dog through whatever is going on with her she needs socializing and continued training, but when she frightens people it's tough to socialize her. Also as a first time dog owner I get worried that she may want to do more than frighten people.  

Answer 2

Training classes would help. I highly doubt that this is a new behavior. I think its her natural instinct that's just coming out. German Shepherds dislike someone walking straight toward their "person" to them...it is a threatening and domineering behavior and must be watched.

My 7 month old GSD boy recently started barking at people and new noises also. German Shepherds are a guardian breed. Whenever Brasky barks at something unnecessary and he's on leash i will give a quick  but light jerk on the leash and firmly say "No Bark" They pick it up pretty quickly what can and can't be barked at.

Also....have you made sure to socialize your dog well? Taking her out around people more  may also help the barking problem. It is also entirely possible that she is doing this out of excitement because she loves everyone (that was the case with my boy...ALWAYS wanting attention) unfortunately they don't understand that in the eyes of the general public they are a "scary" dog. In that case a little role playing exercise would help. Have a friend that knows you walk toward the dog and at the first sign that she is going to bark...fidgeting or a whine...immediately give the correction...NO WHINE, NO BARK, or even a loud AH AH or some disapproving noise will work as the correction. When she's quiet and has her attention on you..give her a treat and praise.

Positive reinforcement along with a lot of patience and dedication will work wonders. Your dog will quickly realize that she gets treats for being QUIET rather than getting over-excited at the sight of a potential friend.

Answer 3

Have you thouroughly socialized her?

Taken her out for walks and let her meet all kinds of new people everywhere you go?

German Shepherds grow naturally wary of strangers as they age, if not properly socialized.

Get her into a training class with someone who knows this breed well, and start socializing her now. Take her everywhere with you, and let her meet new people everyday.

And training isn't just a class that you take your dog to for a few weeks, and then expect them to behave all the time. Training takes place everyday for the rest of your dog's life, especially if you have a stubborn breed like a GSD.

Also, Shepherds need a job to do, it is what they were bred for, so be sure that she is getting adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

Good Luck!

ADD: I see what you are saying. I still think that finding a trainer that has a lot of experience with Shepherds would be a good route. This really is the time in their lives when they start to be suspicious of new people. Also, the changes that you mentioned, could have had something to do with it. Dogs thrive on consistency and when they are puppies, they are very impressionable. Any changes or disruptions in their schedules can take some time for them to bounce back from. Be calm, patient, and consistent with her. Don't ever be harsh, as Shepherds do not do well with harsh punishments. (Yelling, acting intimidating, etc.) Always positive reinforcement (lots and lots of praise and treats when she gets it right.)

When she barks at people, give her a firm "No." and that's it. Don't get over excited about it, or scream or hit her. Just a firm No, stop walking or doing what you are doing, and wait for her to stop barking. When she has stopped, continue with your walk, or whatever you are doing. When she starts up again, do the same thing. It will take lots of repetition.

But like I said, get someone involved who has a lot of experience with the breed, as they can be difficult for first time owners.

Answer 4

both of my dogs, when they got spayed started acting different.

one of them used to be very playful, but after she got fixed, she started to become lazy.

training classes may help w/ your problem but im not really positive about it.

it more than likely is just a phase though, but once again im not positive.

Answer 5

this is likley NOT related to the spay..

probably a training issue...

if she is kept tied up - this is common problem..

Answer 6

The barking and the spay are likely completely unrelated.  I am betting that either classes or advice from your vet would help. Classes might be overkill, though.

A dog often believes that it is their job within the "pack" to bark and alert when intruders are close.  Typically this means when someone on the street outside your house is walking around. It is not as common to see this happening when you are not at home.  

You could try basic obedience techniques - use a consistent correction command ("hush!" or "settle!" or "enough!") then praise and reward when the desired behaviour has resumed.