HELP...Chewie neutered and growling and snapping!!!

[Julie Mison]

Chewie (6 months) got neutered today and seems to be doing well (physically) but seems to be quite aggitated. He is wearing a "cone" and I'm sure he isn't thrilled with that. The concern is when we have tried to move him close to us or pick him up, etc he growls and has tried to snap.

Now...these are some concerns that have surfaced from time to time with resource guarding or on occasion when he is tired or being bratty...but we were not at all prepared for it tonight.

We picked him up around 5p.m from the vet and they said he would be tired and laying around which he has not until now. I'm thinking he is reacting from not feeling well and maybe being nervous/afraid because of the cone and is trying to protect himself.

Either way...it is upsetting and not sure what to make of it or do. It is hard to "correct" him when he just had surgery but I know we can't let him think this is okay?

Anyone else have a dog act this way or any advice? Should we be concerned? It is so upsetting that this seems to be his "first" impulse at times.

We love him so much and yet hate this behavior.

HELP!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Great. Does he want to chew on the sutures? His name is Chewie! Spud is a chewer but seemed to leave his sutures alone.

At PetSmart I saw inflatable cones now being sold, although, members here have said that their dogs chew a hole in them the first hour they are placed around the dogs neck.

Good Luck and hope you have a better day.

[Julie Mison]

They had an inflatable cone option at the vet we tried to get him but they couldn't fit him....being a Doodle...he has a skiny neck and long nose so the size wouldn't work....):

[Tammy & Gracie]

Is his cone solid? I mean can he see thru it? If not, it is probably freaking him out to have such reduced vision. I would try a clear cone and/or the underwear. Is he on pain meds? Sometime they can make a dog wild instead of sedate.

[Julie Mison]

It's clear and yes on pain meds...

[Sandy]

Toby was WAY out of sorts with the cone, so we resorted to this.....

[Julie Mison]

Is it a onesie or undies? How'd you know what size?

[Sandy]

The is one of my son's old muscle undershirts, put on backwards, and tied on the back. It's a pain as far as removing it every time they have to go out and pee, put I had several on the go, and just made sure they were clean. Legs through the arm holes, tail through the neck hole. It worked like a charm!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You could also try the inflatable ring (looks like an innertube). This worked well for Peri the first 3 days but she did puncture it and I freaked out about what to do! But she was fine.
I guarantee you that Peri would have hated that ecollar, so I bet Chewie is really uncomfortable and acting out. Thinking of you :)

[Julie Mison]

Well...we tried to put undies on Chewie and he got agitated....growling, snapping....it was very upsetting. So...we went and found something called a "comfy collar" but it still is very big and now he can't see well....he just seems so unhappy but don't know what else to do. We even got a doggie cloth diaper that velcros on sides but he just kept trying to get it off....plus he is shaved on one of his arms where the IV was and when the CONE is off...he licks and licks it. I guess he is wearing the cone. Spoke to the vet about his behavior...doesn't sound too common except if you have a dog that already has been showing attitude...(as he had been). So...now need to cut some slack for now but figure out what to do about training......his trainer has been using a lot of corrective and praise and doesn't believe in treat based training...I am now questioning it a bit...........ugh........thanks for all the messages and for allowing my rambling...we are a bit overwhelmed with the whole thing!

[Kyoko]

After all, he is still a puppy...