Testosterone and Dogs

[Randy]

So, I've been on T for a little over 6 weeks now  (and had my first noticeable voice drop, yay!) Anyway, my dog has been acting really weird lately. We've had him for years and he's normally a really well-behaved dog, and he's always slept in my bed, been excited to see me, etc. Now all of a sudden he'll start growling at me for no reason at all. One time I just walked over and patted him on the head and I wasn't sure I was going to get my hand back! Do you think this could have some connection with the testosterone? Maybe I smell different? 

[Jay]

Randy, this certainly is the first case of this happening I have ever heard of. I have a dog myself and haven't seen any diffrence in him.

So I very much doubt it, maybe he is just getting old?

[tekla]

I'd go with the smell deal, its a dogs strongest sense.

[Lachlann]

Does your dog have any issues with males?

Because I was watching a vlog on youtube where this guy had the same problem. Apparently the dog he was babysitting had a bad history with males, and his mom kind of volunteered him for the job even though he had been on T for several months. The dog was too afraid to go near him.

[Yochanan]

I was just thinking about this the other day. I was worried because my cat's crazy for me now, but I don't think I'd be able to take it if he didn't like me after T. I wonder if it's just dogs or cats too?

[sneakersjay]

No changes with any of my pets.


Jay

[Nicky]

It might be a smell thing, you no longer smell so familiar and that has spooked your dog. I would suggest being extra nice to your dog, show them they have nothing to be afraid of, re-earn the trust.

I remember visiting a place with my female flatmates to pick up a bed. The person selling it had a big dog and said I needed to be careful because it disliked males. But when it came down to it the dog just gave me a friendly sniff. That was a good day.

[JonasCarminis]

my dogs have been smelling and rolling on my clothes lately.  probably a smell thing.

[Walter]

I've never heard of this happening but I have wondered in the past if it was possible. You could ask a vet and make sure there's nothing wrong with your dog (physically or something). One of my family's old dogs had something against men. She would tolerate them but she got a long better with females. I'm not sure....I would suggest asking a vet. It could be old age or something

[alexkidd]

My little dog who is well behaved and never shown any interest in humping before (he was de-sexed really early) started trying to hump me after a couple of weeks that I have been on T. It was weird cause he never does it any other time (I use the gel stuff and I assume he can smell it on me and something reacts well with him). So now I just put him outside for a few hours after I have put it on 

[Renate]

Hormones absolutely do change the smell of your sweat.
If the animal in question has no issues with males/females there will obviously be no change in behaviour.

I went to a party early in transition where I still appeared as male and wasn't out yet.
There was a dog there who had been abused by a man and hated all strange men.
The dog was friendly to me and nobody could figure out why!
I was laughing my head off.

[Dennis]

My neighbour's dog, who is afraid of men, became afraid of me. I had to re-earn her trust. Yeah, I think it is smell. Could be voice a bit too.

dennis

[Scratchy Wilson]

My dogs seemed to behave better after I started T. I think the dogs can sense a stronger feeling of alpha male in you once you start T. If your dog isn't usually calm and submissive he probably feels a little challenged and uneasy. Usually if you walk him everyday and asert yourself as a balanced leader he will trust you and give up his doggy power.

I was just thinking about this the other day. I was worried because my cat's crazy for me now, but I don't think I'd be able to take it if he didn't like me after T. I wonder if it's just dogs or cats too?

As far as cats go, my female cat was completely stand-offish towards me pre-T, but now she won't leave me alone. She likes to tease me and play hard to get...or come in my room at night and slap me when I snore. She's a wicked little minx, but I love her all the same.

[Arch]

I have no wisdom to offer here, but I've been worried about how my favorite cat will respond to me after I start T. If he started having problems with me, I would be very upset. VERY.

I guess there are lots of other T-related things I could be worried about, but he was practically feral when I rescued him. It took me a long time to tame him and earn his trust, and he's really crazy about me.

[J.T.]

i definitely notice a difference in unfamiliar dogs... and it sucks. 

My cats have had no problem, mainly 'cause i live with them every day.  I was worried but the only change with our interactions is that i can no longer "talk" to them.

[payparrot]

I was worried about this. My Rottweiler (who easily weighs more than me) hates dudes of any species. He tolerates some, mostly ones that he has to, like my brother.

Then again, I haven't started T yet, and might not for a few years... and unfortunately, with his size he doesn't have a great expected lifespan. So, even though this alternative blows more, it might not even be an issue by the time I start.

[Dennis]

It definitely is an issue, dogs will trust you less, but even dogs who don't like guys can get used to them. My dog hated men (and is still very suspicious of them) when I got her. She will now tolerate strange men and has a few in her pack, now that she has an alpha who's male. Alternatively, dogs who are hard to dominate, are easier when you're male. My mum's dog finally knuckled down and started obeying (both her and me) once I started T and could growl at him with a low voice.

I didn't notice a whole lot of difference with my cat. I don't know if cats get gender preferences as strongly as dogs do. My cat loves everyone, male or female.

Dennis

[tekla]

I don't think that cats are as smell sensitive, far more a visual creature.  Cat's eyes are as remarkable as a dog's nose.