Dog has been neutered - we now need to keep him calm and quiet for 7-10 days. Help!😫

[PuppyMonkey]

After much discussion, and big chat with vet, had our 8 month old golden retriever boy neutered on Tuesday. I know, I know, supposed to wait until he’s 15-18 months. But we’ve had big problems with aggressive play, constant humping and trying to run off. Vet said this might help, it might not. But it’s done now.

So we’re at the stage where for the next 7-10 days, he’s not to go out for walk, got to be on a lead in the back garden for toileting, no jumping, got to be calm, and as still as possible to allow him to heal.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh yes, he’s also supposed to wear the cone of shame throughout his ordeal.

He’s already going bonkers.

We have:

Tasty chews.
Kong toys (tricky with the cone).
Games and training stuff (he’s sooo not in the mood).

Anybody got any other suggestions about how we survive this? Drugs?

[disneyspendingmoney]

I got my dog done four months ago and did none of that, didn't even get that as advice from the vet. What are the benefits of doing that?

[Veterinari]

He can be walked but should be kept on a lead and avoid Duden jumpy twisty type exercises. With very boisterous dogs absolute exercise restriction is often counter-productive as they just get frustrated and leap about. A steady walk is likely less risky

[YouveCatToBeKittenMe]

You could get him a medical pet shirt which covers the wound. You would have to roll it up for him to pee and poo but they’re often a better solution than a cone of shame esp for bigger livelier dogs.
After his first checkup if he’s ok you should be able to take him for slightly longer on lead walks to burnnoff energy
Otherwise stick with the games and toys
Good luck!

[Veterinari]

You can’t also remove the cone for training/games etc when he’s supervised as if you’re watching him you can ensure he’s not licking

[PuppyMonkey]

Really? No advice to keep dog still and calm? Apparently it might affect the stitches if he’s too active. He’s definitely trying to bite and lick the wound, so I’m sure the cone is needed to stop that.

[PuppyMonkey]

Oh, more posts - thank you! Yes we gave in last night and walked him in the lead down the road. He hates doing a poo in our garden, so he did one in the hedge outside neighbour house. Might have to stick with that system at the very least.

Have been looking at the shirts and body suits. Trouble is by the time it arrives, he’ll be better.

[Evidencebased]

I might be trying a very calm on lead walk,as Vetenari suggests, because my energetic dog finds it hard to cope without.
I find the trick to a calmer walk is to not go the usual routes, where dog has expectations of play and off lead, but stick to a boring road, somewhere quiet that you don't usually take them.

Pet vest- yeah that was good- that plus the cone-at the same time- just about did the job.

[BiteyShark]

I used an inflatable collar in the day because he would chew the big plastic vet collar off. With the inflatable one he was much calmer as it didn't restrict his view but if he really wanted he could get to his wound but I watched him to make sure he didn't.

At night I put on the medical suit as I couldn't supervise him.

I 'tried' to restrict jumping by limiting him to a room without a sofa in and providing chews etc.

[Veterinari]

Yes inflatable collars are often better tolerated. Is he on pain relief? He shoukdn’t Be licking a lot at this stage so i’d Be worried he’s uncomfortable. My suggestion was to remove the collar ONLY when he’s supervised to allow him to engage in training/games etc

[PuppyMonkey]

I have an inflatable collar, but he managed to get to the wound with that on.

[Fazackerley]

I didn't do that. Walked mine as normal th next day. He's pretty chilled though and was older than yours.

[PuppyMonkey]

He’s got pain relief for another two days. TBH he doesn’t seem in pain, he’s eating and wagging tail at visitors and up and about. Sleeping well at night so far too.

We’re at the vets later for a post operative check up, so will be asking for more advice re activity levels. The wound looks fine so far, I just imagine the stitches will feel a bit itchy for him.

Interesting that some seem to have been given none of these instructions. How weird.

[BiteyShark]

I was told on lead walking only but mine was like yours in that he was a high energy young dog that would tear about at high speed off lead. We were told to keep him as calm as possible at home.

[Kennycalmit]

Jesus Christ I would swap vets!!!

DPs lab was aggressive as a puppy and constantly humping and for that reason alone the vets refused to castrate him. With an aggressive dog, castration often leads to fear aggression instead which is much worse. That’s the most basic thing your vet should’ve told you as for the humping... plenty dogs who’ve been castrated still hump

Think fight or flight - by castrating him you’re getting rid of the hormone that helps with the fight or flight and instead you’re just left with ‘flight’ which is fear - most dogs react out of fear

You shouldn’t have had him done at 8 months anyway, even more so if he’s aggressive!! Man alive

[nighttimebrowsing]

Our cocker spaniel (1 year in Feb) had 2 surgeries back in December and beginning of Jan on his knee.

We've had to use sedatives from the vets as he hasn't been able to stay still. He had the second surgery as he tore the first one due to being too active!

He's been crated everyday with only 5 min walks 3 times a day for over 2 months now :(

He is healing really well though after this second surgery and he's on 10min walks 3 times a day now! Should be doing 30mins twice a day by his birthday (10th Feb)

[PuppyMonkey]

Okay thanks for your thoughts Kenny. As I said we had a long chat with our vet and I trust her advice, we made our decision after pondering it all carefully. It’s a find deal now I’m afraid. BTW, He’s not aggressive, I know he is just playing but he’s a big dog etc.

Hope yours is ok soon, night.

[Empathy56]

When we got ours neutered a few months ago we were also told to not let him run about (impossible) and he wasn't to go out.We were dreading using the cone of shame but he ended up loving it and didn't want to take it off.Even now,if we get the cone out of the cupboard he will come over to have it put on. He has recovered well and still shows me his war wound every morning.

[PuppyMonkey]

That's so cute, empathy.

We took doggy for a mini walk in a quiet spot this morning and he enjoyed it. I do think the cone is making everyday things slightly more exciting for him. He came home and had a good sleep and is now fast off again after a little wander around the garden and a tasty chew. Fingers crossed we'll all survive this.

[PearsandWine]

Could your vet prescribe a sedative for the next 48 hours? After that the wound should be healing well. Agree with slow plodding walks on the lead. Pavements not the park so nothing too interesting.

[PuppyMonkey]

• whispers, he’s actually been a bit better today, quite calm and snoozy. Fingers crossed it lasts.