Does spaying a bitch change her personality? Nervousness problems...

[Jericho]

I have a 16mth old JRT - bright little dog, extremely trainable but quite submissive in that she hates doung anything wrong and very nervous with strangers touching her. I am booking her in to be spayed between her two heats this time but I am suddenly hearing lots of stories about bitches becoming aggressive after being spayed from (un)helpful friends. Now I know that the benefits of being spayed far outweigh the risk of her changing but am now concerned that it may tip her nervousness into fear aggression. Does anyone have any reassuring stories to the contrary?

Also am looking for behaviourist who could help with the nervousness - north Essex / south Suffolk - any recommendations? And has anyone successfully helped a young dog get over this kind of anxiety - I really dont want it to get worse and am starting to see a few signs that i am not happy with - she growled at a young friend who came to the house and her barking at other visitors to the house is becoming more ferocious. Have read lots of advice and books on how to help her but feeling a little despondent about it all. She was a great little pup, was socialised well, went to puppy classes etc, nothing really in her life that has happened bad to her other than usual cross reprimand for eating poo, widdling inside etc and she did receive a hard smack once after she bit me hard when she was about 5 mths old and once when she chased a running child and bit leg again when she was 5 mths. Not great to smack but heat of the moment thing :-(

 

[splashgirl45]

cant help with nervousness, but some dogs need very sensitive handling and cannot cope with being shouted at, told off etc....these types need correcting very gently...and she may be biting because she is scared....your idea of a behaviourist is prob the right way to go.

i have had 5 bitches in total and all have been spayed and none have changed personality at all they were a deerhound, 3 lurchers and a collie cross lab.....hope this helps with your decision...