Neutering and behaviour

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Anonymous — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:32:48 GMT

Have these people never heard of hormones?

I think that dogs are more unruly and poor behaved than fixed ones. Especially males, they don't listen, they are stronger, they pull, they pee in nine million places, and basically have the attention span of a goldfish. Their hormones are driving them mad. We recently neutered an 18 month old lab who already flunked out of obedience school once.

And what about females and mammary tumours, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer... do I need to continue? Those people need a good talking to! :)

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Anonymous — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:13:34 GMT

yeah i wasn't sure on females but I know there is a point where if you don't have your dog castrated behaviourally there's no point. but obviously healthwise it's better.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:50:33 GMT

I will agree in part Steph, theer are def some stages and some behaviour issues where neutering is not only pointless to correct it but a waste of time and gives the owner false hope...... ie/fear aggresive

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Anonymous — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:44:59 GMT

I would say it's the opposite. there's a point that once you pass it with dogs in particular not sure about bitches, that if you don't castrate before this point there's not really any point doing it for behavioural issues.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Saskia Quinn — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:25:06 GMT

Well said STRVN. Definitely good advice there. It needs to be nipped in the bud now before it gets worse.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:17:20 GMT

Hi again Nicky, I am not one for neutering too early, as has been said by previous threads, and it has nothing to do with training, more the final look of the dog, but quite frankly that training group is talking utter mince!!!!!!!!!.My one and only 6mth old neutering was the most intelligent biddable and devoted dog I have ever owned. I actually had her trained to hand signals, I never needed to utter a word to her.

What they are doing is tantamount to defamation in my eyes and would def be either having words or a strong worded letter to whoever(or whatever is probably more apt) is running this class. I think there def needs to be some kind of parly between yourselves and this group before it gets beyond a joke and starts to seriously effect business.

What about an open evening with neutering the main topic..... maybe get someone who is not attached to the business , so has no monetary interest etc...??

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Nicola Smith — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:25:55 GMT

I have heard with my own ears when taking my pup there. They are basically saying neutering does not allow the brain to mature therefore they cannot be trained and they stay unruly forever, and that vets will do anyhting for money and try to get you to neuter before you hange your mind incase they lose out on the money. They knew I could hear and know where i work felt very uncomfortable but am not a confrontational person to say anything back. I was hoping someone may have a written report or something similar I could post to them - I know I'm a wimp!

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:08:03 GMT

Can you have a word with this training place? ask them what advice they are giving possibly

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Nicola Smith — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:15:49 GMT

Yes we do the 6 month checks then and discuss it at that point. Its just really frustrating especially when they are blatantly slagging us off for it. One of the trainers was using our practice and has now stopped as she has found out will we do neuters at 6 months - its not like we force it on people!

When I first qualified the advice was always to let them have a season but that appears to be an outdated view now unless there are partic reasons to let them have a season eg adolesecent vaginitis.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Fiona Leathers — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:50:15 GMT

I neutered my bitch at 4 months and we've had no problems, this was due to her having a GA because of an ex lap but I would neuter that early again with all my future dogs.

I advise that we can do it from 6 months onwards for both sexes. We've just started running adolescent health checks at 6 months old & we go through all the pro & cons with owners then. Usually once its been explained properly owners opt for the earlier neutering.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

zara — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:01:30 GMT

In my old practice we spayed bitches 3 months post 1st season and not before that, and dogs ideally at a year, if a client wanted their dog castrated before this they had to enquire it with a vet.

The reason for the males is so they have a chance to mature.

I am also a member of a dog training group, and they give no advice ref this topic as every1 is to their own.

Re: Neutering and behaviour

Cat Woman — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:53:46 GMT

Our local trainer, who we have a pretty good relationship with, also has started telling people not to neuter, or that we have done it too young! Must have been a recent course for dog trainers I think! Not sure that trainers fully appreciate the health benefits of neutering.