Seems to growl and nip when trying to pick up or in other words do something she does not want to do. Had to Vet last week to check if anything wrong, no infections? She is normally a very happy pup and would lick you to death. this is once she was spay 16 days ago.

It sounds like Luna has done a 180 on you since her spay, and that's understandably worrying — especially when a normally sweet pup starts growling and nipping. The good news is that what you're describing is actually pretty common in the weeks right after a spay procedure, and there are some likely explanations worth knowing about.

She may still be uncomfortable. Even 16 days out, a spay is a real abdominal surgery. The incision site on the outside may look healed, but internal healing takes longer — often 4–6 weeks. When you pick her up, you're likely putting pressure on her belly or core, which can hurt even if she doesn't look obviously sore. Growling and nipping in that situation is her way of saying "that hurts, please stop."

Hormones are also in flux. After a spay, a young dog's hormone levels shift significantly. For some dogs — especially in the first few weeks — this can temporarily affect mood and behavior. It usually settles down, but it can make a normally easygoing dog feel a bit "off."

Some things you can try at home:

• Avoid picking her up if you can help it for now. Let her jump up and down from furniture herself, or use a ramp if needed.
• When you do need to handle her, try to support her chest and hindquarters evenly rather than squeezing around her middle.
• Watch her incision site — look for redness, swelling, discharge, or any sign she's licking at it (a cone or recovery suit can help if she is).
• Give her space to approach you on her own terms. Keep interactions calm and positive, with gentle praise and treats.
• Don't punish the growling. It's communication — suppressing it without addressing the cause can lead to a dog that skips the warning and goes straight to a bite.

If the behavior is purely pain-related, it should ease as she heals. If it continues well past her full recovery, it's worth a separate conversation about behavior.

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When to see your vet:

Since you were just there last week, you have a good baseline. I'd recommend calling them now — not waiting — if you notice any of the following:

• The growling or nipping is getting worse or more frequent, not better
• She seems lethargic, off her food, or is vomiting
• Her incision looks red, swollen, or is oozing
• She's guarding her belly or hunching her back
• The behavior continues beyond her full 6-week recovery

Given that this started right after surgery, her vet should know it's happening — even a quick phone call to describe the behavior could help them advise whether she needs to be seen sooner. You're clearly paying close attention to her, and that's exactly what Luna needs right now. 🐾