Need some coddling (no, not about ARPAIO/GORKA). About neutering a dog.

[UTUSN]

So. In my waning lifespan, I've "owned" seven for-life dogs. I pretty much think that music and dogs are tops in a given life.

Clearing the discussion ground of weedy clutter: I'm an ex-fringe-hippie, formed by the late '60s and early '70s - didn't get into anything deeply, which is to say (fringe) not so much conviction about getting into any of anything deeply - just absorbed some attitudes: Population control, small cars/gasoline economy, conservation, recycling, blah blah.

So none of my seven dogs were spayed/neutered. Except for one pair, five of them were just singles at home and didn't participate in the dog population explosion, so it was moot.

Right now I've got a very aged pair who, for whatever their reasons, have not participated either. Now I've added a third, who is 8 months old. My dilemma is not about his changing the dynamics. On his second day with us, he's shown the beginning of "behavior" with his stuffed toy.

All of us don't want this intruding on our old age. So a friend has had all of her three dogs spayed and is completely comfortable about it. Her most important reason for herself is "not cleaning up."

I made an appointment for this coming Tuesday. Population control is not an issue here. It's all about "the behavior" (and aggressiveness?). But I'm feeling troubled, confused about "depriving" him of something he's going to be deprived of anyway.

I'm probably going through with it, but will welcome any words on the subject(s).

[flyingfysh]

1. Do the right thing

If it's not a show dog, go ahead and have it neutered. There are far too many dogs who have no place to live and have to be put down as a result.
The ability to reproduce is important to humans, but not to dogs.

[Phoenix61]

2. Seriously, he'll never miss what he never had.

It's not like he was looking for the love of his life.

[Kali]

3. he will be absolutely fine

do not worry!

[UTUSN]

4. Thanks 1, 2, 3. I am much better.

[procon]

5. Its really unfair to the animals not to get them spayed or neutered.

Dogs react to the instinctive compulsion to breed. Even when they can't go out to do that, they are still being constantly and relentlessly driven by their hormones, and it's physically painful and uncomfortable. Humping other objects is only the result of their physical frustration, they can't help it, it's cruel to ignore their needless misery.

You're transferring your own human emotions to the dog, but remember, animals do not think beyond the moment they are in... hunger, fetch, bellyrub, sleep, etc. Dogs have no mental ability for worrying about being neutered, or anything else. They have no sense of being "deprived" and they have no notion what testicles are for, and they will not miss them when they are gone.

As responsible pet owners, we can improve the quality of their lives and reduce other health problems from cancer to a shorter life span, by simply getting them them spayed or neutered. That stops everything, the frustration from the urgency to breed, the preoccupation with relieving their sexual needs, and it makes for a much more relaxed and happy pet.

Please do it and you'll both be glad you did.

[Laffy Kat]

6. They are already out of their natural habitat.

Neuter them. It's one less thing for them to obsess over.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. I adopted a wonderful dog at age 10 or 11 and three vets signed off on not neutering him

He had been a "stud dog" at a "commercial kennel" and was rescued in the nick of time when he got too old - and he found his way to me. He was a near perfect dog, handsome with the sweetest temperament, and I had him for eight wonderful years. When he began having trouble walking due to age-related issues, I found a vet who helped him immeasurably with alternative medicine - acupuncture. At that age - at least 18 - I was reluctant to subject him to surgery requiring general anesthetic. But that vet said he would have gone ahead with it because neutering eliminates so many health issues. He also said that it helps when a dog is overly aggressive - not an issue with my dog, but with another dog we encountered at that same office. You're doing the right thing for your dog, according to that vet who is the best one I've known, eliminating a whole lot of health issues he could encounter later on.

[femmocrat]

8. There are other health benefits to neutering.

You are definitely doing the right thing. He will be healthier and more manageable for you.

All companion cats and dogs should be spayed or neutered. There are way too many unwanted litters.

[UTUSN]

9. "healthier & more manageable" - and the Yeas have it. Well, the app't was already set

I just needed this Lounge boost kick in the pants. This is about the only new experience I haven't been through with my lifetime dogs, since going through two putting downs was really a 2x4 to the heart.

Well, I haven't been through any bad health conditions with any of mine, which I don't want to get to know.

Thanks to all for the reinforcement. Ten days with a cone - UGH!1 Well, he'll be in a cage to keep him from jumping, which will give the old two some respite for reclaiming their former lives.

[ismnotwasm]

10. My Daughter is at the Vets with her Australian Shepard right now

My dogs have all always been neutered-- currently a Rottweiler who was a puppy mill rescue and came to us neutered, and a funny little mutt that is half Border Collie, Chihuahua and some of sort of terrier that we had spade. They are good, happy animals that keep me company when I'm doing yard work, are protective, and, well a joy. For a while we kept them apart because the little one is fierce but delicate and the big one is just big. Having them fixed kept aggressive behaviors in control, and now they hang out together all day long.

My daughter lives very rurally, and there are big cats and coyotes where she is. Coyote females will deliberately lure a male dog as prey apparently

[NotASurfer]

11. If it helps, name the left one "Arpaio" and the right one "Gorka"

And tell the vet to get to snipping. Pet'll be fine and better-behaved, long term. And won't love you any less!

[canetoad]

12. Get him done

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. We never had our dogs nuetered who I was a kid.

My last childhood dog ended up with the type of cancer that would have been prevented by neutering.

[Donkees]

14. Neutering doesn't guarantee that mounting behavior will stop :)

[UTUSN]

16. Uh-oh. That's the unknown prompting this o.p. Still happening Tues

[Donkees]

17. Neutered dogs can still have erections. The mounting behavior is also linked with over-excitability.

It's not necessarily sexual. Being that he is already 8 months old (?) the mounting behavior might continue. I know that in larger breed dogs especially, neutering is linked with joint problems, because the hormone plays a role in muscle/joint strength. Lots of research on this.

[mythology]

15. Here you go

http://www.neuticles.com/index.php

But seriously, get him neutered. He's a dog, he's got a good home and will live in the lap of luxury. He won't be missing them.

[left-of-center2012]

18. We had our cats and dogs neutered and spayed

Saw no difference in before and after.

[UTUSN]

19. "no difference before and after" - see, that's my problem, but I'm going through with it.

[Expecting Rain]

20. It can be devistating to the health of a dog to neuter it.

There have been three major veterinary studies on neutering, they are unanimous in showing great harm.

Problems include increased cancer risks, increased odds of CCL tears, obesity, hip dysplasia, behavioral problems, and fear and anxiety,

There are no health advantages to neutering (despite the unsubstantiated false claim in an earlier post).

Please look for the Golden Retriever study, the Rottweiler study, and the Vizsla study. The science is unequivocal.