Jack saying goodbye to his bits

spacey2012

BJV:
The Springer Spaniel is a working dog, he will be bouncy, he wants to work, he has this constant nagging in his head that he is not doing his job.

Here are some springer tips:
Teddies, introduce some teddies to the dog as toys, get him to fetch them at home, hide them and make him look for it, encourage him to bring it when he greats you each time.

When he is out, find him some tasks to do, the favourite is been sent to investigate a bush, sit him down alongside you, order him away to the task.
Encourage him to remain out in front and never behind you.

These may sound daft, but it will satisfy that nagging in his head that he should be doing something and walks will become his "work" and he will seperate home life from out working, but work they must or they get very frustrated at not been given any work to do
They do make great pets, but the devil will find work for idle springers.

pawsies

Could you consider chemical castration?

It'll allow you to see the effects without a permanent lifestyle change.

It is more expensive but imo worth it for the option to go back if it makes no difference/makes him worse.

zaksmum

pawsies wrote: »

Could you consider chemical castration?

It'll allow you to see the effects without a permanent lifestyle change.

It is more expensive but imo worth it for the option to go back if it makes no difference/makes him worse.

I didn't know this was an option for dogs, pawsies. I'll ask the vet about it before D Day on Monday.

aliasojo

With complete respect to all vets, I'd be taking advice from a behaviourist with regard to this type of situation.

Our own vet is great but he admits himself he is not an expert in behaviour, he's an expert in the 'workings' of animals iyswim.

He advised us to do something that a behaviourist warned us against. Our vet looked to someone else for advice and then changed his opinion. As in your situation, it was a 'no going back' kinda situation so if we'd gone ahead, we have been stuffed.

Maybe worth considering calling a behaviourist for advice first?

pawsies

Just been reading up on chemical castration and NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) advises against any form of castration for aggressive dogs.

I think you should do more research and cancel that appointment.

Surgical or medical castration might have unexpected consequences (i.e. improvement or worsening) on aggressive behaviour. Thus, dogs with sociopathic disorders and showing episodes of intra-specific (dog to dog) and/or inter-specific (dog to another species) aggressions should not be castrated either surgically or with the implant.

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Virbac_Limited/Suprelorin_4_7_mg_implant_for_dogs/-48969.html

So, I would say book a behaviourist instead

Person_one

I don't think neutering is the answer to aggression, but I think its usually the right thing to do anyway and within a day or two he won't even remember it happened, he'll come to no harm.

When he's recovered, go to a behaviourist.

aliasojo

Person_one wrote: »

When he's recovered, go to a behaviourist.

It's not quite as simple as that though, the hormones play a part and to cut off the supply of testosterone can make things worse.

BJV

spacey2012 wrote: »

BJV:
The Springer Spaniel is a working dog, he will be bouncy, he wants to work, he has this constant nagging in his head that he is not doing his job.

Here are some springer tips:
Teddies, introduce some teddies to the dog as toys, get him to fetch them at home, hide them and make him look for it, encourage him to bring it when he greats you each time.

When he is out, find him some tasks to do, the favourite is been sent to investigate a bush, sit him down alongside you, order him away to the task.
Encourage him to remain out in front and never behind you.

These may sound daft, but it will satisfy that nagging in his head that he should be doing something and walks will become his "work" and he will seperate home life from out working, but work they must or they get very frustrated at not been given any work to do
They do make great pets, but the devil will find work for idle springers.

Thank you ! he is a full on dog but we like that.

You are completely right. He loves nothing more than hunting for tennis balls? especially in long glass and is a real water baby.

His nose is incredible. I always knew that they where special but it is really outstanding. He can find a tennis ball in the middle of a field of waist high grass and sand dunes.

Bouncy yes, but we would not swap him for the world and he is amazing with the kids.

I suppose that is why we are hesitating we love him the way he is. And if losing his bits would change that we would never forgive ourselves.

I think the question for the OP is if it changes the dog as a whole, his outlook,etc. The reduced hormones must make a difference? I know that a lot is down to behaviour but hormones must have an effect too.

If is does then hopefully a combination of both the op and re train / behaviour treatment ?

zaksmum

BJV wrote: »

Thank you ! he is a full on dog but we like that.

You are completely right. He loves nothing more than hunting for tennis balls? especially in long glass and is a real water baby.

His nose is incredible. I always knew that they where special but it is really outstanding. He can find a tennis ball in the middle of a field of waist high grass and sand dunes.

Bouncy yes, but we would not swap him for the world and he is amazing with the kids.

I suppose that is why we are hesitating we love him the way he is. And if losing his bits would change that we would never forgive ourselves.

I think the question for the OP is if it changes the dog as a whole, his outlook,etc. The reduced hormones must make a difference? I know that a lot is down to behaviour but hormones must have an effect too.

If is does then hopefully a combination of both the op and re train / behaviour treatment ?

Jack is very well trained and obedient in every aspect but this.

Most of the time, if another dog starts on him, I can say NO! or Be Good! and he will be fine. He's just now had a young excitable dog jumping all over him and was cool about it.

It's only if I'm not quick enough and another dog comes out of nowhere and goes for him, his reaction is excessive and he will fight back violently and see the other dog off.

spacey2012

zaksmum wrote: »

It's only if I'm not quick enough and another dog comes out of nowhere and goes for him, his reaction is excessive and he will fight back violently and see the other dog off.

He is protecting you, one thing about springers you learn when you have had a few, is they have absolutely no hesitation in dying for you if it means you are not the target.
A unknown dog charging in is a threat to you, he see's you as the ultimate possession, his buddy and best friend and he is not going to sacrifice you .
Thats just his breed.
They rarely ever attack, they will play, they will sniff, but any signs of aggression from a rouge dog and they are powerful dogs and they won't have it.
And why should they.