Neutering adult male dogs - does it help?

Paradigm

elsien wrote: »

So in practical terms, no difference. He gets massively overexcited and tunes out in new places and around other dogs, to the point where I might as well not be there, both pre-neutering and 6 months on. I did worry that if he took off after a !!!!! in heat I wouldn't be able to hold him, so I suppose its removed that concern, if nothing else.
What problems did you think it might help with?

Unwanted puppies & removing the small risk of Testicular cancer are the only guarantees.

I have no doubt that most on here can quote examples where castration has (helped) cure behavioural issues & also, like yours, cases where there has been little or no difference.

Of course the same could be said for the health benefits/risks I posted above, some might suffer from one or more negatives, others none.
The difference being that these statistics are based on research so I tend to give them a little weight when making a decision.

IMO there are few situations where (proper) training can't address a behavioural issue & that too many people, vets included, see castration as a cure all... it isn't, it's a lottery!

Throw in the possible health risks & the odds, in my view, swing against having it done.

krlyr

I would definately look at it on a case by case basis, and weigh up the pros and cons. If the issues were related to nervousness, anxiety or fear, I would be very wary of neutering - as the lack of testosterone can often make these issues worse.

I didn't have to make the choice with Casper as he was already neutered when I got him, but given his fear issues with other dogs, I would likely have not had him neutered.

There are some alternatives to consider, too, as well as behavioural training - there are chemical castration methods, e.g. Suprelorin implants, which are temporary ways to check how neutering could affect the dog (but they don't always give a full/true indication)

Person_one

Paradigm wrote: »

Things to think about before commiting, based on the latest research....


On the positive side, neutering male dogs

• eliminates the small risk (probably <1%) of dying from testicular cancer
• reduces the risk of non-cancerous prostate disorders
• reduces the risk of perianal fistulas
• may possibly reduce the risk of diabetes (data inconclusive)

On the negative side, neutering male dogs

• if done before 1 year of age, significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer); this is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis
• increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma by a factor of 1.6
• triples the risk of hypothyroidism
• increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment (Dementia)
• triples the risk of obesity, a common health problem in dogs with many associated health problems
• quadruples the small risk (<0.6%) of prostate cancer
• doubles the small risk (<1%) of urinary tract cancers
• increases the risk of orthopaedic disorders

You missed a pretty crucial one from your list of positives...

Paradigm

Person_one wrote: »

You missed a pretty crucial one from your list of positives...

Not really, it's not a health related issue in the way the others are.

Pthree

A bit of a weird way of looking at it, but I actually feel a bit sorry for dogs walking around with all the hormones, urges and equipment to be able to have some rumpypumpy, and all they get to do is hump cushions and peoples legs which they then usually get told off for :eek:

sheramber

Tallu wrote: »

He's generally a macho idiot - imagine a bodybuilder on steriods, imagine that in a little, ridiculous dog shaped package!

Main reason is for humping the other dog - she's too old to have to put up with it and can't be bothered telling him off until he's really pushing his luck, can't be helping her joints. Been a problem since a stay in kennels earlier this year, gets really fixated and can't be distracted with walks etc.

I actually really did want to keep him entire as had him health tested etc but I think his temperament is a bit sharp which is why I'm now thinking of neutering.

High protein / fat kibble mix, probably too high in protein and I'm sure not helping but both eat the same thing and I struggle to keep weight on the older dog as it is.

It might be worth getting a vet check on the older dog. He may be reacting to 'something' going on with her.

Humping can be a sign of excitement or insecurity or just not knowing what to do a situation so does something he does know.

My dog was neutered at nine months and started humping at 2 years old.

Paradigm

sheramber wrote: »

Humping can be a sign of excitement or insecurity or just not knowing what to do a situation so does something he does know.

My dog was neutered at nine months and started humping at 2 years old.

Yep, in older dogs it's rarely sexual but is generally the kind of things you mention, including dominance.

My girl is neutered but sometimes humps the boy (intact).... never the other way round!

OnAndUp

Tallu wrote: »

High protein / fat kibble mix, probably too high in protein and I'm sure not helping but both eat the same thing and I struggle to keep weight on the older dog as it is.

When I changed my dogs food from Pro Plan high protein 30% to Burns 18% it calmed him down loads more than the neutering did! Really made a huge difference to behaviour which then made training easier etc.

There are some schools of thought saying high protein can make them hyper?

krlyr

I would worry less about the amount of protein and more about the quality. Mine calmed down a fair bit on a raw diet - which is obviously quite high in protein!

OnAndUp

krlyr wrote: »

I would worry less about the amount of protein and more about the quality. Mine calmed down a fair bit on a raw diet - which is obviously quite high in protein!

Yes I think it seems to apply more to processed Dog food rather than raw which is obviously naturally high in protein!