Dog booked in for Neutering - is this the right decision?

[sonic81]

Hi
I have just booked my 18 month old male dog in for neutering next week, I'm still trying to convince myself this is the right thing to do and would appreciate some advice!

He shows no behavioural problems in the house such as hyperactivity, humping or urine marking which is why we never saw it as a priority.
However he has recently become dominent towards male dogs at the park attempting to mount them and becoming agressive when they resist.
Hes been well socialised since being a young pup and has always loved playing with other dogs so I dont want to have to keep him on the lead all the time.
Am I correct in thinking this attempt at dominating male dogs could be related to the high levels of testosterone which may be curtailed by the neutering?
He's 18 months old and I'm worried we have left it a bit late as I believe it should be done between 6 to 12 months.
Also are there any risks with the actual operation?

Thanks in advance

[LoftyLottie]

Very little risk. He should be fine the next day and it is well worth while. It's a very speedy op. and very little general anaesthetic is needed.

I had my rescue dogs done when they were 3 and 6 (the age they were when we got them). It probably will help with the aggressive behaviour, although some of this will now be learnt behaviour and may continue. Don't forget the effect won't be instant - it will take a few weeks for the hormone levels to settle.

[LoftyLottie]

And he won't be bothered with the ladies so it reduces the risk of escape attempts and randiness!!!!

[icemaiden]

Had one of our boys done a few months ago. We paid extra to have him neutered via keyhole surgery. (Laproscopy) Much better as the wounds were very small with internal stiches so no risk of him pulling them out, and also the recovery time was only 3 days. Every surgery has risks, my friend had her flat coat retriever done last week (normal neutering surgery) and he now has an infection there. Just one of those things.

It hasn't stopped my dog humping his friends as this is more a dominating issue but he is much better with male dogs now, so I would definately recommend to have your dog neutered, especially if you have no plans to breed from him.

[lankeela]

Agree with all the above, plus it reduces the risk of various types of cancer in unneutered dogs in later life.
He will also be more biddable and willing to listen to you rather than thinking 'what if....' which as you say is what the hormones will be doing to him.

[madmaggot]

I do think that dogs should be neutered unless there is a specific reason for not doing so.
Before your dog has surgery I recommend you take a look at this site and it's further link relating to vets:

http://www.thebellamossfoundation.com/care.asp

Don't be afraid to ask the questions!

[sonic81]

Thanks so much for the responses, he is booked in for Tuesday so hopefully it will all go well and he'l be back to normal within a couple of weeks.
Thanks

[leelapops]

We neutered our Border Collie at about 12 months sonic, and it calmed down his hormonal urges and chilled him out when meeting other males (and females!).
In terms of practical considerations: Jack went in at 9 in the morning and I received the call to collect him at 3 in the afternoon. He was a bit woozy and tender for that evening, and he was exercised on lead for the following week. He recovered well, healed fully and picked up no infections.
Hope your boy's routine op goes well :)

[lankeela]

Let us know how things go today.

[woofgang]

having kept both entire and neutered boys now i do think if you aren't going to let the dog mate and be prepared to deal with his dominance issues related to hormone, its much kinder to the dog to have him done. We had our two done at 14 months it has stopped a lot of the humping and general dominance trying it on

[zxr69]

hi there, feel that i have to say something on this topic had a male lab for 13 years entire never had one problem with him never wandered or was ever aggresive, he has also covered 6 ***, sadly he had to be put down this year not due to age or any cancer being 13 years of age, but due to a spinal injury. I have his 2 sons both boys both 7 months old and have no intentions of getting either done unless something dramatic happens. Most people think male dogs are aggresive and wander never had that, even our vet who dealt with the father said that they would never neutar him due to his rare colouring and terrific temprement. Please think on if the dog realy requires it, i am not against it however think its done to easily.

[icemaiden]

I would also like to say that I had a Golden Retreiver for nearly 17 years and I never had him neutered either. He was never aggresive, never ran off and did not chase after ***.

I decided to have my two done because they are brother and sister and I did not want any accidents. But also I found the male to be quite dominant and was forever humping his sister. He is better now but not completely free of humping but atleast now I know there will not be any unexpected puppies.

May I ask Zxr69, you say that your Lab was of a rare colour, What colour was your he? Just interested.

[zxr69]

hi there hes was Red Fox colour, he covered a black *** in spring 11 puppies only one the same colour as the father which we have the others were black and almost white labs, we also have a near white one 2