Keeping Your Dog Entire
Discussion
Have (male) puppy, coming up for seven months. Question is whether or not to get him done.
We didn't with previous dog and no incidents of behavioral issues of note. Environment is different for this one; two teenage kids in the house and dog will not be traveling to work with me everyday.
We didn't with previous dog and no incidents of behavioral issues of note. Environment is different for this one; two teenage kids in the house and dog will not be traveling to work with me everyday.
I run a kennel. By far the most troublesome dogs (in my experience) are dogs that are intact. Mostly males, but some females too. It's more visible in dogs that aren't often exposed to other dogs. Those who get done tend to not by fussed by other dogs aggressively, compared to those that aren't.
Just my twopence.
Just my twopence.
We have a Cavapoo with the most wonderful temperament. We decided to opt for the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' approach as didn't want to mess with his hormone balance. We are so delighted with that decision.
If he were troublesome then we would have had him snipped. I think the owner just needs to take an honest look at the behaviours of their dog in the first year and make a sensible decision - there is no blanket right answer.
If he were troublesome then we would have had him snipped. I think the owner just needs to take an honest look at the behaviours of their dog in the first year and make a sensible decision - there is no blanket right answer.
Just adding to this thread, as a first time dog owner...
We have a lovely Portuguese Water Dog, an intact male; we got him in November 2019, he is now 3.
He used to be an absolute sweetheart with other dogs, but around 9 months ago, pretty much at the same time as my wife had a nasty fall and smashed her elbow to bits, he started to get snarly and aggressive with other dogs.
Until that point, we had taken the "if its not broke, dont fix it" approach, but since the advent of the aggression, we've been seeking advice as to whether or not to get him done.
We've spoken to vets, dog breeders, dog walkers & experienced dog owners. Everyone's opinion differs, and some of them have told us "dont do it, he'll get worse!", so we are still, as novices, unsure of what to do.
We are actively trying to train him to be better with other dogs, which seems to be starting to work. We live in an area (inside the m25) where there are lots of other dogs, so he has always had plenty of doggy contact.
Lastly, we are taking sensible steps to ensure he is on the lead where appropriate etc.
Any advice from the PH dog people? Thanks!
We have a lovely Portuguese Water Dog, an intact male; we got him in November 2019, he is now 3.
He used to be an absolute sweetheart with other dogs, but around 9 months ago, pretty much at the same time as my wife had a nasty fall and smashed her elbow to bits, he started to get snarly and aggressive with other dogs.
Until that point, we had taken the "if its not broke, dont fix it" approach, but since the advent of the aggression, we've been seeking advice as to whether or not to get him done.
We've spoken to vets, dog breeders, dog walkers & experienced dog owners. Everyone's opinion differs, and some of them have told us "dont do it, he'll get worse!", so we are still, as novices, unsure of what to do.
We are actively trying to train him to be better with other dogs, which seems to be starting to work. We live in an area (inside the m25) where there are lots of other dogs, so he has always had plenty of doggy contact.
Lastly, we are taking sensible steps to ensure he is on the lead where appropriate etc.
Any advice from the PH dog people? Thanks!
My dad was always against neutering. Although my mum once had a Poodle that humped everything, and then one day the Poodle did his thing and ended up depositing his reproductive juices on my mum 
. Safe to see he was swiftly taken to the vet. We had a Briard when I was growing up too. He was the best dog ever, so intelligent, loyal and protective. He sadly ended up dying from testicular cancer. Really wish he had been neutered, we may have had a couple more years with him had he been.
. Safe to see he was swiftly taken to the vet. We had a Briard when I was growing up too. He was the best dog ever, so intelligent, loyal and protective. He sadly ended up dying from testicular cancer. Really wish he had been neutered, we may have had a couple more years with him had he been.W211 said:
We've spoken to vets, dog breeders, dog walkers & experienced dog owners. Everyone's opinion differs, and some of them have told us "dont do it, he'll get worse!", so we are still, as novices, unsure of what to do.
It would be worth speaking to/engaging a trainer/behaviourist as well. They will be able to observe your dog and give a more informed opinion on the reason behind the change in behaviour and whether neutering will help or not.Presume you've had him vet checked to ensure there is no medical reason for the change in temperament?
All my dogs (13 up to now) male and female have been neutered, as they've all been rescues. The newest one (No14) is only a baby, but will also be neutered, probably after her first season.
I think it's a barbaric thing to do unless absolutely needed. Just imagine if people were casually chatting on a forum about giving us the snip because some of us fight after a boozy session. If a dog's problematic are there hormone treatments that can be done first to see if the snips needed? Maybe for a few months?
Socialised dogs with ball's aren't aggressive because they have balls. Address the real issue, it's not their b
ks and if it is, then you need to grow yours :-)
Socialised dogs with ball's aren't aggressive because they have balls. Address the real issue, it's not their b
ks and if it is, then you need to grow yours :-)
I spoke to a breeder about our male cat, she said to let him develop as much as possible before he starts trying to hump his sister or spray as he would then reach his full potential size etc. i often think that if we castrated make humans we would probably need to supplement their hormones but we don’t do that for animals?
We have a male horse and I asked why they are normally neutered, I understand that intact stallions can be a bit of a pain the whole time.
We have a male horse and I asked why they are normally neutered, I understand that intact stallions can be a bit of a pain the whole time.
Over the years I've had 4 Great Danes and 4 GSDs, all male and all with all their bits.
No issues with aggression, people or other dogs, male or female, or any other behavior in general that would have given me thoughts to have taken them to the vet.
Not saying I wouldn't have considered it if there was an issue to address.
No issues with aggression, people or other dogs, male or female, or any other behavior in general that would have given me thoughts to have taken them to the vet.
Not saying I wouldn't have considered it if there was an issue to address.
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