My dog got fat this last off-season and weight wasn’t coming off very easily, partially because my wife sneaks him food while I’m at work. I explained how dangerous the extra weight is during hunting season and now the weight is miraculously coming off.
He is a five year ago intact male, and has had some dominance and territorial aggression, but he was always fantastic around kids.
Now that the weight is falling off, his disposition has changed. He started snapping at children without warning when he no longer wanted to be petted. I took him in for blood work; his thyroid was normal but he tested positive for Lyme disease. A further blood test determined he did not need to be treated for Lyme.
We no longer let him around children. It’s not as easy as it sounds, because neighborhood kids love him. Kids would often come into our yard to pet him and give him sticks. They’ll even ring the doorbell and ask if he can come out to play.
While I’ll never trust him around children again, I wonder if his disposition will stabilize with his weight. I’m seriously considering neutering him, but I’m told it won’t make a difference in a five year old dog. The downside is his weight will be even more difficult to manage. Others say neutering will help after 6 to 12 months.