Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Re: Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Jo Mackenzie — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 22:31:56 GMT

I think the theory is, for males anyway, that by neutering them you are reducing their testosterone levels, making them less "brave" and therefore more nervous-aggressive. Hope that makes sense, it's been a long day and I'm sleepy. I've been reading about this a fair bit recently and this does seem to be the general consensus among behaviour people, but I can't say much about it from personal experience - it's not something I've been specifically looking out for, but recently I have been advising owners of particularly nervous dogs to speak to a good behaviourist before neutering.

Re: Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Emma Bartlett — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 11:23:24 GMT

Below is from Kris Glover BA (Hons), MSc (CABC), CCAB - Pet Behaviour Counsellor

Monday Myth: Got a Behaviour Problem? Neuter Your Pet!

Neutering of cats and dogs is a standard procedure usually recommended to avoid unwanted puppies and kittens which could potentially join the ranks of animals in rescue centres desperately looking for homes. The age at which animals are neutered differs and there isn’t really an easy answer to what age is best to get it done.

However there appears to be a worrying tendency with the use of neutering as a cure for all behaviour problems in pets, especially dogs. “Get your dog neutered, it will calm him down” is repeated almost like a mantra and very few owners stop to think whether this is actually the case.

Neutering is often recommended as a cure for all types of aggression – be it towards people or dogs, excitability, jumping up, mouthing, mounting, scent marking, roaming, chasing, chewing furniture, and other inappropriate behaviours owners experience from their pets. Only a small fraction of these problems can actually be completely solved by neutering surgery. A lot of them have absolutely nothing to do with the dog’s hormonal status and will be completely unaffected by neutering. A small number of these behaviours can actually be exacerbated by getting the animal neutered. Some behaviour problems will get slightly better after neutering, but will still require a behaviour therapy to help resolve them completely.

Therefore owners should think very carefully about the procedure if their pet is displaying an inappropriate behaviour. Contacting a qualified behaviour specialist, recommended by the vet or by searching on here www.apbc.org.uk, prior to the operation is a really good idea as they will be able to advise as to what impact neutering might potentially have on the problem behaviour and what work needs to be done post operation in order to resolve the problem completely.

Re: Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Julie-Anne Wilson — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 09:05:43 GMT

I've never heard anything either way, good or bad for male or female dogs. I know they say neutering can help with aggression, over possessiveness but I've honestly never heard an opinion on it based on nervousness. My dog was nervous aggressive when I first got her and I neutered her at the first chance I got, I'm pretty sure it never made her any worse.

Re: Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Julie — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:57:50 GMT

I have had a nervous dog, and bitch, neutered in the past and they certainly changed for the better .

Recently heard someone had advised a friend of a friend not to neuter a nervous 2 year old female and just wondered if anyone has had any actual experience, with their own or a clients dog, where neutering made the issue worse.

Thank you for taking the time to reply

Re: Neutering a nervous dog/bitch

Helen Tottey — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 18:07:03 GMT

Males are a little easier to sort out as they can always be chemically castrated to see if this improves behaviour but this isn't possible with bitches but generally I believe the advice is NOT to neuter a nervous dog/bitch.

Our practice recently had a CPD evening with the local APBC behaviourist and this is something they are discouraging either completely or until a qualified assessment to decide if this is in the dogs best interest. obviously there are medical benefits and this is where it can get quite tricky, I think you are best asking your local behaviourist for advice.