Depressed or master manipulator? - Page 1

I posted a few weeks ago about our recently adopted 2yo gsd.  She was given to us by some neighbors who could no longer care for her.  She was on the thin side and had some eating 'issues', which we had resolved.  She was doing great, seemed happy, ate well, loved the daily walks, playing ball, etc.

Fast forward to last week when we had her spayed.  There was (supposed to be) a 10-day recovery period, during which she should do nothing more than go outside to potty.  Her recovery has gone very well and by day 3, she contemplated jumping the baby-gate I had blocking the stairs.  She's tried numerous times to get the Lab or the cat to play and roughhouse, which we've gently discouraged trying to keep her from overdoing anything.  Earlier in the week, she'd figured out that if she scooted herself under the gate from the backyard, she could get to the squeaker balls kept in the front.  I mention this specifically because it's not something she'd done before.  And now, we're back to square one with the eating.

I think she's frustrated that she hasn't been able to play the way she wants to and worry she's regressing a bit with regard to eating.  She had already gained 5 lbs by the time of her surgery and was looking sooo much better.  We had a great routine going where they'd eat early, rest an hour or two, then take a good, long walk.  After the walk, they'd play ball a bit, then rest again.  During the day, more play time and then she was ready for dinner in the evening.  After dinner, another walk and they were good for the night.  It was going so well and she'd begun to know what to expect and looked forward to it.  I believe she was feeling better in general, and was doing so well.  Now, she's gone back to not eating.

She's already passed on dinner this evening, so I have a plan.  The plan is to skip her feeding this evening, try to get her to eat in the morning and take her on one of the long walks that we'd been doing before the surgery.  Hopefully, she'll see this as a return to regularly-scheduled programming and will go from there.  If not, I'm not sure what to do.  Obviously, I know that she hasn't been burning as many calories this past week and therefore, probably doesn't need them as much as before.  But, in my gut I feel it's not about her not needing to eat, but more *not wanting to eat*.  Of course, I could be wrong...and just projecting how I might feel if I were her and (all of a sudden) I wasn't allowed to play anymore.  She's gotten plenty of extra attention this past week, but that's not what she's after.

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated...in case my plan fails miserably.  Thanks in advance.

P.S.  We're mindful of overfeeding and healthy weights, but she did/does need a few pounds to be at a healthy weight and appearance, for her.

Sounds pretty normal to me.  Sounds like she was on a good schedule and then the schedule was changed, drastically due to the spay.  Personally my dogs start doing slower/not as long walks the 3rd day after a spay.  If not they would be driving me nuts.  I think once you start her slowly exercising again just leash walks though no major racing around throwing balls etc., she'll start to go back to her normal ways.  Also bringing her back with your other dogs will definately start helping just watch them carefully and she'll be fine.
Good luck!
Amy

She may not be depressed at all.  Could she be in a relaxed state?  What does a depressed dog look /sound like?

Have someone rip out your guts (which produce a necessary hormone) and see how you feel?

And sometimes...less exercise....less appitite.  Put in a full days work and you will find you are hungry...more so then if you just ly around and do nothing.  Once she gets back into the swing of things......I think she will be fine.  You had already proved that.

Are you sure she does not have a latent infection from the operation?
 
She could also be bleeding.  Are her gums pink and healthy or pale or, worse,
very dark?  Does she have a fever?