For those with neutered males

[Louise Perry]

Hi, just a general query and apart from coat changes I wondered if there was any noticeable behaviour changes after your dog was neutered (positive and negative). ?

[Jackie O ' Neill]

No changes so far Louise,( approx 6 weeks on) hes still a happy little boy thankfully ! & his coat is still shiny and gorgeous!

[Ossian]

Working as I do with a great many dogs, I get the chance to view this question a lot.

We have puppies (male) who are neutered very early in the process (6 months) and they seem to lose their agression towards other dogs. slightly older males, ones coming in from centres and being neutered can retain aggressive behaviour - often towards a particular - which would make you think that it is a learned behaviour

but there are some dogs that if viewed in the nest would be identifiable as "strongwilled" perhaps and these should be in very careful handling experienced homes.

I dont have my own males neutered and I have the same problem as if I had a human male at home. they can be grumpy, they can take a dislike to something/someone and I supose they can be horny!

Whatever yu do with neutering - it isnt a "quick fix" For two dogs to stop arfuing "immediately" there had to have been a different underlying issue. Testosterone levels take six months to drop out.

[Louise Perry]

Thanks Ossian for the info. I have to say I have seen no aggression issues with reuben as yet and yes sometimes other dogs have a go at him but thankfully no fights. The biggest problem we have is lack of focus and i do think Reuben is exceptionally strong willed!

Oh and P.S Perhaps I should neuter my hubby then as he is all the above, haha!

[Sue and Cash]

Its only been about two months or so but Cash is still the sweetest, happiest boy. So no changes thus far. I have neutered almost all my males and have only found positive things as far as personality goes. Some have calmed down a bit but a young dog is just that. I like an active dog and haven't found that it slows them down that much. From what people here are saying some have coat changes and some don't. But don't worry Louise because as far as behavior changes it is usually positive changes. I haven't heard of negatives in regards to that. But a warning, our Brittany was neutered at six months and went on to hump any dog that he came across regardless of sex! But his was a dominance thing not a sex thing. I have found that it takes away their urges to look for a female. And many don't run away looking for that anymore. But that was just our experiences.

[Ilona & Gina]

Changes in Anton's coat - I can't really judge. He is two years old and still has this puppy fluff. The vet says it may go away. In terms of behaviour, there is no change. He loves his runs, is the sweetest young man, and because he absolutely enjoys his food, we need to be a bit careful. But he is good shape.

[Louise Perry]

Thank you everyone and yes Finn you are correct it is on my mind again and I am in quandry! Basically I think what bothers me is the lack of focus on me when we are out as I live in a small town with a high population of dogs. We do go to the fields too but can never really get away from lots of dogs. Also It is the constant pulling reuben off my 5 year old son that can be a problem.
I am working hard with the training but when out Reuben is just a sniffing, peeing machine and will run up to every dog no matter what I command. I have had him on a long trailing line again which helps with short distance control but not much good when he has scarpered! I know he is not dreadfully behaved and understand he is a young dog but it is exhausting! I am going to college september and worrying a bit about this too I think as big change and me gone 3 days a week etc.
I know there is no magic answer but if neutering helped with his focus on me when out instead of the constant need for sniffing/marking/looking for females, then this may be the right thing to do for me. BUT if it is something that gets better with age and training then i will keep going. I am running out of training ideas ie, tried all sorts of toys, treats, games etc and feel like I am banging my head against a wall!
Sorry to sound like a moaning minnie and other than the focus problem Reuben is a lovely big red softie pony.

[Susan Stone]

Louise, I am sure some of the problems you mention are sex linked, others however are not.
If you castrate Ruben he will be less distracted by smells of the 'sweeter' sex. He will still enjoy playing with other dogs and continue to think them more attractive than doing what he is told.
You would still need to work on the basic obedience issues but may find it easier.
Unfortunately there are unwanted side effects that have already been spoken about here.

One way of 'trying it out' without doing anything rash would be to ask your vet about an anti-testosterone treatment called Androcur which is effectiv for up to 3 weeks.

[Louise Perry]

Thank you Finn for your reassurance and your training ideas with Fergus - they sound good and glad they are working for you. I too use hand signals on walk and tend to say "this way" at the same time. I have also been hiding from reuben when he is not looking and watched how he goes back and forth looking for me until he finds me. This I think will help with teaching him to keep an eye on me hopefully. I do also shut him out of the room we are in (for a few minutes) as time out , a bit like you naughty step I suspose.
Last night we went to my inlaws house as family were over from canada and he was trying to mount everyone and esp the children, which was a shame as they were then to scared to give him any attention. I had to put him on the lead in the end and hold him.
I intend to keep up the training but feel his hormones surges at the moment are just too distracting. I think I am seriously considering chemical castration first to help get through this sticky patch and get his focus better and more reactive to training and see what difference it makes. I have no intention of breeding or showing him and just want a biddable (but not robotic) pet.
Susan I haven't heard of Androcur before? I know about the tardac and superlorin implant though.

[Susan Stone]

Hi Louise
The chemical castration with Androcur may well be known under a different name in the UK. I checked on the web and it contains 'cyproteronacetat' and is used as medication for humans (male).
Our vet gives oversexed dogs one intramuscular injection and the effect is said to last up to three weeks. I have so far used it once for two brothers (Glen & Flynn) in an emergency situation when their mother Erin came on heat just when I had Flynn back for re-homing. The two males got their jabs and the next three weeks were fine! I was warned to still keep the boys separate from the bitch but they were in the same house and I had no howlingand no escaping, nor any aggression between the two brothers.
I'd give it a try before you make any definite decision about surgical castration which obviously is non-reversable.

[Louise Perry]

Update is I went to see the vet and had a good chat with her and Reuben was given the Tardak injection earlier today. We discussed the superlorin implant too but I didnt want something to last 6 months if the effects were detrimental to Reuben.
So there we are I feel happy and lets see...

[Susan Stone]

I'd also be interested in hearing if you notice any difference - especially re humping and also re his concentration. I think the treatment takes 2-3 days to take effect.

Yesterday I was with someone who has a young (18 month) Dalmatian who had the superlorin implant. The obvious difference was his testicles are now practically invisible! The vets say he will not be infertile once the effect has worn off - but I do wonder... He is no trouble with bitches in season - so more or less like a neutered dog.

[Louise Perry]

I will keep you all posted! Yes the implant does cause the testicles to shrink but apparently they come back. Reuben has huge ones so i think they could do with a little shrinking, haha.
Yes apparently all effects wear off and fertility resumes, though this is not so with the tardak jab as I dont think it makes him fertile anyway, just supresses the hormone for a short time.
I would presume that each dog reacts slighlty differently anyway as all indivduals and I have read that some people have had bad experiences with tardak but they seem to be far and few between. I do feel better that I have gone for a short term one Ie, the jab just in case the effects really badly alter Reuben's personality and then at least it wears of quickly as opposed to 6 months or so.
The vet said that it should start taking effect by the weekend and will be fully effective by mid next week. My walks will be interesting! As for the humping that hasn't stopped him tonight!!!!