Puppy neutering

[MissTyc]

I think it will make my puppy's life better if he is neutered. We were always going to do it, but he was an anxious puppy, and we didn't want to rock the hormone boat until he'd settled into himself.

Dog walker is now getting antsy as her insurance only covers non-neutered boys up to 18 months ... so now I'm getting antsy.

There's no reason to get him done other than a) dog walker and b) unspayed bitch down the road made him pace and cry while in season and that seems unfair and c) he's a mutt and there is no way he's ever getting near a lady so why keep them on. I think he'll have more opportunities in life without nuts ... But I am also a bit nervous about the impact on his anxiety as have read way too much about testosterone and confidence, etc. Catch 22. He was a year old yesterday & is a border terrier x Yorkshire terrier.

Need HHO dogexperts! What do I do? When do I do it? How do I know what to do?

 

[Fanatical]

Dog walker is now getting antsy as her insurance only covers non-neutered boys up to 18 months ... so now I'm getting antsy. ?

if he has just turned 1, you have another 6 months - I'd wait and see. Mine is just over 18 months and his keeping his, for the time being at least as he is also an anxious type, despite our best efforts with socialisation, and he is showing us no reason why we should remove them.

 

[MissTyc]

if he has just turned 1, you have another 6 months - I'd wait and see. Mine is just over 18 months and his keeping his, for the time being at least as he is also an anxious type, despite our best efforts with socialisation, and he is showing us no reason why we should remove them.

Fair point ... The post is a result of my antsy-ness . I also get nervous as I have to time things with work to get time off to look after him.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd wait until the animal is mature.

I know I sound like a stuck record but so many people don't consider genetics in anxious dogs. I exhibit the traits of my parents and grandparents - dogs are no different. It's no excuse not to train or socialise, but a lot of dogs are genetically not of strong nerve, whether they have their bits or not.
Anxiety is the same as a lot of behaviour traits, always 'there'. You just fall into management mode.

 

[splashgirl45]

mine is also a mutt and would never have been used for breeding, he was done at 9 months as he was getting quite amorous,,and also would get a scent and disappear so i was having to keep him on the lead in certain areas...,,,he is a confident pup and his character hasnt changed at all since the op. i also feel its not fair to leave their bits on if they are not going to breed and they are showing interest. only my opinion though...

 

[SusieT]

lop them off. His anxiety will not be significantly affected and is actually likely to improve without hormones messing with his head- especially if the unspaye dbitches make him anxious.

 

[Thistle]

Small dogs mature earlier than large ones, he's mature enough to neuter at a year. I'd leave until 18m for a large breed.

 

[MissTyc]

Thanks - think we will plan for April as I can get a full week off work then ... I never worried about these things in the olden days. They were usually not neutered unless showed silly behaviour. Then they came off without any worries. And having rescues for so many years now, they arrived ready neutered/spayed hehe.

 

[BlackadderUK]

There's no reason to get him done other than a) dog walker and b) unspayed bitch down the road made him pace and cry while in season and that seems unfair and c) he's a mutt and there is no way he's ever getting near a lady so why keep them on. I think he'll have more opportunities in life without nuts ... But I am also a bit nervous about the impact on his anxiety as have read way too much about testosterone and confidence, etc. Catch 22. He was a year old yesterday & is a border terrier x Yorkshire terrier.

Need HHO dogexperts! What do I do? When do I do it? How do I know what to do?

Hi everyone, my 1st post here (I'm usually on Pet Forums)

You don't say what issues his anxiety causes? but there is a correlation between Testosterone & anxiety/nervousness in dogs. Many studies have shown that in anxious/nervous dogs the removal of Testosterone can cause in increase in that behaviour, maybe even aggression, in some dogs.... as you have no doubt noticed by your own research on the interweb

Personally I'd be wary of castrating an anxious dog & would possibly look at something like Suprelorin to give some idea of the effects the reduction in Testosterone had on the dogs behaviour before committing to surgery, it is fully reversible should the dog suffer a negative reaction in his behaviour.
Once his nuts are gone, they're gone.... you can't put them back & any detrimental effects are likely permanent.

Of course, you know your dog better than anyone & the unspayed bitch/issue with the dog walkers insurance may well be good enough reasons to have him done, it's purely your call but in your position I would certainly be looking at every other option first.

I'll just add this link, you may have already seen it http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/neuteringmaledogs

Just for the record, I'm not a fan of routinely castrating males (you might have guessed )

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[skinnydipper]

Something else to consider. Study from 2017

Neutering significantly associated with an increased risk of some cancers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5445488/.

 

[splashgirl45]

Small dogs mature earlier than large ones, he's mature enough to neuter at a year. I'd leave until 18m for a large breed.

mine is a tiny terrier cross and i considered this before making the decision, i really wanted to leave it till he was a year old but he was getting too keen on humping so i decided on earlier and it stopped the unwanted behaviour .. my previous animals were bitches and were bigger and they were spayed when they were 2 1/2..

 

[CorvusCorax]

Never mind!

 

[SusieT]

the studies re neutering show that neutering young dogs ie before maturity can increase the risk of cancer (in SOME larger breeds) so not that relevant really.
also - ref aggression - testosterone can cause aggression so it swings either way. normally I find neutered dogs are far more level headed..

 

[Elsbells]

Sorry but I've never understood the rush to neuter? I've had dogs all my 57 years and have never felt the need? My dogs are allowed to be entire, I have never bred or had problems with sex crazed dogs racing around the country desperate to bitch?!
If your daft enough to walk your bleeding in season bitch around where there are dogs, then expect to be pestered. Yes I've had bitches and after their 2nd season, they are spayed but only the ovaries are removed at my request. Bitches are the baby barers after all and it just makes sense
If you really want to go ahead OP, I suggest to research, research, research and maybe you have. Do it as a choice and do not be pressured into it, it's your dog after all and no one else's business but yours what you choose do for the best.

 

[SusieT]

elsbellswhy do you feel the bitch owner - who is only in season two or three times a year so a 'normal' dog has to be the bad guy here as opposed to the dog owner whos un neutered dog if he is pestering bitches is a pest 365 days of the year...
Neutering is an incredibly straightforward process and one of those procedures that is maligned by 'google' warriors. But that's just my opinion and experience of a significant number of neutered dogs.

 

[Elsbells]

elsbellswhy do you feel the bitch owner - who is only in season two or three times a year so a 'normal' dog has to be the bad guy here as opposed to the dog owner whos un neutered dog if he is pestering bitches is a pest 365 days of the year...
Neutering is an incredibly straightforward process and one of those procedures that is maligned by 'google' warriors. But that's just my opinion and experience of a significant number of neutered dogs.

Because as a bitch owner myself I go by the rule if in season, she stays in till it's over. I grew up with this rule, it used to be taken for granted and as I've already said, bitches are the baby machines so if you don't want to be pestered or have a litter keep her at home or spay her......simples

 

[SusieT]

obviously all entire male dogs should stay in all year round then as actually if they aren't out then nobody will be pestered- flawed logic!

 

[Thistle]

Everyone seems to be missing the point that this post isn't about neuter or not, the OP has to neuter as a condition of her dog walker/day care, if she wants to continue to keep the dog in a way that suits her, using a walker, he has to be neutered

 

[MissTyc]

It seems a can of worms has been opened.


Thanks for the recommendation of the Testosterone reduction drug - that is super constructive, and definitely something I will discuss with my vet.


As has been pointed out, it's a Catch 22 due partly to lifestyle choices. He could come to work with me instead of having the walker, but he really loves his walks with her and it's done wonders for his social skills being out with so many different dogs and different locations. Also, I did feel so desperately sorry for him when the bitch down the road was in season - he was pining and whining and pacing and that's not his fault (nor the bitch's!). As a terrier, he's prone to digging and climbing and I do worry that his garden time might have to be restricted when she's in season in case he starts to set his mind on escaping to visit her.


I know it's a routine surgery but it does have effects on the development of any male. I'm overthinking it precisely because I don't take it lightly and don't know if my choices for how my dog should live balance out the potential impact on his development. If he was 2, I wouldn't be hesitating I don't think. But as the first respondent pointed out, he does have a bit of time before the dog walker issue becomes a real issue ... and now I have the idea of suprelorin in mind, I can hopefully make better use of the time between now and then!

 

[BlackadderUK]

I know it's a routine surgery but it does have effects on the development of any male. I'm overthinking it precisely because I don't take it lightly and don't know if my choices for how my dog should live balance out the potential impact on his development. If he was 2, I wouldn't be hesitating I don't think. But as the first respondent pointed out, he does have a bit of time before the dog walker issue becomes a real issue ... and now I have the idea of suprelorin in mind, I can hopefully make better use of the time between now and then!

You're not overthinking at all, just taking reasonable care.

If you want to read a log of one womans experience with Suprelorin with her own dog read here http://thelabradorforum.com/threads/suprelorin-and-benson-a-log.10782/ it may give you some insight into what to expect if you & your vet decide it's worth a go.
My only real concern if you decide to try it is how will the dog walkers insurance view it? While it has a similar effect to neutering he's not actually neutered!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I know it's a routine surgery but it does have effects on the development of any male. I'm overthinking it precisely because I don't take it lightly and don't know if my choices for how my dog should live balance out the potential impact on his development. If he was 2, I wouldn't be hesitating I don't think. But as the first respondent pointed out, he does have a bit of time before the dog walker issue becomes a real issue ... and now I have the idea of suprelorin in mind, I can hopefully make better use of the time between now and then!

I wish more people would think about their dogs and the consequences of their (owner's) actions as much as you do

my two males are both coming up to 2yo and I am starting to think whether or not its necessary or an option. One is a large breed the other slightly anxious so have had reasons to delay but now my work patterns have changed and it would be easier, and better for them I feel, if I could use a dog walker regularly.

 

[skinnydipper]

the studies re neutering show that neutering young dogs ie before maturity can increase the risk of cancer (in SOME larger breeds) so not that relevant really.
also - ref aggression - testosterone can cause aggression so it swings either way. normally I find neutered dogs are far more level headed..

I think it is relevant to note that the study I referred to reviewed the records of over 90,000 dogs. "For the majority of dogs, age of neuter was not discernible from the records thereby precluding an assessment of age of neuter effects".

Incidentally the study gives a balanced view of pros and cons of spay/neuter from a health perspective.

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

Get him done in a few months. He’s a terrier & you don’t want him turning nasty towards other males. His anxiety is part & parcel of his particular genetic make-up. Manage it & get those balls off.

 

[alibali]

You could always find a dog walker who will take entire males, mine does and is fully insured.

 

[MissTyc]

I randomly found this thread while Googling suprelorin, and then realised I start it over 2 years ago ...
Just before lockdown, we were scheduled for suprelorin. My terrier's anxiety was under control; his behaviour around other was excellent; he was loving life and it seemed the right time to test this out.
And then ... lockdown happened and now, 6 months later, I seem to have a total nervous wreck of a dog who is reactive to so many things inside the house now that none of us can settle any more. He sadly seems to have turned against the dog walker (same one - she stuck with us!), who has walked him since he was 6mo, after she came for him at the same time as the recycling truck came for our recycling. Apparently that's her fault now, but hopefully we can get over that. Living with an anxious dog is so heartbreaking. He's never been "carefree" but the 6 months between last summer and lockdown were his happiest and most settled and I want to give him that back.

Anyway, he's not having the implant now since he's too anxious again. Can't win.

 

[{97702}]

Interesting thread - Colin is a monorchid I was horrified to find, so he is being done as soon as the vets will allow unless the other ball drops PDQ! He is also humping my leg at 9 weeks old which I’m not at all enamoured of ?

Mind you he is as confident as it comes and will face out the big greyhound without batting an eyelid.... ???

 

[SusieT]

d

 

[Meredith Brouillette]

I have neutered my dogs only when they were both fully grown up. I figured they need those hormones for their body and minds to develop properly. They don't have any behavior issues since neutering. Except not being interested in ladies

 

[splashgirl45]

Interesting thread - Colin is a monorchid I was horrified to find, so he is being done as soon as the vets will allow unless the other ball drops PDQ! He is also humping my leg at 9 weeks old which I’m not at all enamoured of ?

Mind you he is as confident as it comes and will face out the big greyhound without batting an eyelid.... ???

does that mean it is dangerous for him not to be neutered ? i waited as long as i could with my little terrier as he was doing quite a bit of humping, luckily not my leg, he was done at 10 months as the vet said small dogs mature quicker. i wanted to leave it longer but decided to get it done before the humping got to be ingrained. he has never shown any signs of humping since so its worked for him. i only had bitches before and waited till they were over 2 before having them spayed mainly because i kept missing the right time..

 

[{97702}]

does that mean it is dangerous for him not to be neutered ? i waited as long as i could with my little terrier as he was doing quite a bit of humping, luckily not my leg, he was done at 10 months as the vet said small dogs mature quicker. i wanted to leave it longer but decided to get it done before the humping got to be ingrained. he has never shown any signs of humping since so its worked for him. i only had bitches before and waited till they were over 2 before having them spayed mainly because i kept missing the right time..

Thats my understanding although I’ll check with my vets when he is vaccinated on Tuesday - there is time for him to come right as he is only a baby, but if that doesn’t happen and one testicle is retained it can lead to cancer I believe?

He is just so cute but I don’t ever see him becoming a father regardless ?