My dog was neutered as an adult, he barked and now cries when he sees other dogs, will this go away with time?

Question

My dog was intact and lived with another dog that was neutered and never showed signs of dominance. In fact, the neutered dog was dominant over him! He went to classes and was friends with all of the other dogs. I moved and my dog no longer lived with another dog he was still not neutered, within a month he barked and cried at other dogs when he saw them during our walks. He met a few dogs and barked, cried initially but when they smelled each other no longer barked when he saw them, instead was calm and would try to run and greet them. He is now neutered ( for 2 months) and cries (whines) instead of barks when he sees dogs. Is this dominance? Will his personality ever change? I'm not sure what to do any and all comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I didn't mention earlier, but I live in NYC and the general dog owner concensus here is that dogs that "bark/cry/whine" are scary and will "attack". So my worry is quite valid. People cross the street at the sight of my dog's crying, so it's a bit difficult to socialize him. Even to move to many buildings request you not have a dog that barks alot. You can even be evicted for having a dog that barks too much in or outdoors. In the dog park in my neighborhood many do not enter when my dog is in, because he barks at the gate even if he is wagging his tail and is in play position. And sometimes when they do enter and my dog wants to play and barks, they leave.

Answer 1

Without seeing your dog I can't say for sure, but it sounds like excitement, especially if he is friendly with the dogs when meeting them.

I sympathize with your situation and have some clients in the same boat. People misinterpret so much about dogs. Try working on some self-control exercises, such as having him sit when he sees a dog, then asking him to approach politely. If he starts to lunge, pull forward, or whine, stop and have him sit again. If he has an eye contact cue (usually "watch me") use that during part of the approach. He will be less likely to whine if he isn't looking at the dog.

Look into attending a training class with him. Even if he knows all of the obedience commands, it will be helpful for him to practice obeying you and being calm in a roomful of dogs.

Answer 2

Whining is not a sign of dominance. It can be a sign of submission or it can be a sign of excitement. The barking can also be excitement or it can be aggression.

Why is this a problem for you? Are you trying to get the dog to stop whining and want it to bark instead? I'm not sure why you would care.

I can tell you the whining has nothing to do with the neutering.

I can also tell you that your dog is probably missing playing with other dogs. It would be good to go to the dog park daily or to start a doggie play group.

Answer 3

I wish I knew, because I have the same problem. In fact, I am one step behind - he was neutered 2 weeks ago. He still barks at male dogs and he fights them if they don't accept his dominance. I hope it will go away. Crying is what he used to do a couple of months ago, when he wanted to go near them but he was not so aggressive yet. We thought he just wanted to play with them, and indeed he played, but he humped them too and tried to dominate them. That is how they started fighting him and he became aggressive. My guess about your dog is that the urge to bark and fight is diminished into just crying. It's a step, it is better than barking. In a few months it might stop completely, but there is no telling with adult dogs, because they have developped habits. The hormonal pressure will stop though. I hope mine goes back to whining and stops barking too!!

Answer 4

THIS IS BOREDOM AND FRUSTRATION LOOKING FOR AN OUTLET. DOGS ARE PACK ANIMALS. YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER ANOTHER DOG TO KEEP HIM COMPANY IF YOUR GONE ALOT. OR LOTS OF WALKING AND INTERACTING WITH FRIENS AND NEIGHBORS DOGS.

Answer 5

Would you get over it if this happened to you? Major ouchy!!!