Did anyone notice difference in dog after neutering

hollytrees

I got my male dog done in October. He used to be fairly independent and chilled out. However he has changed so much is in that he is so needy, follows me around the house and is constantly looking for attention. I've another dog and he tries pushes her out of the way if I pet her. Any advice welcome

BillyMitchel

hollytrees wrote: »

I got my male dog done in October. He used to be fairly independent and chilled out. However he has changed so much is in that he is so needy, follows me around the house and is constantly looking for attention. I've another dog and he tries pushes her out of the way if I pet her. Any advice welcome

Looking forward to answers here. I'm really in two minds about getting my boy done. How old was he when he got it done? I've read that it can take 6 months to notice the affects of neutering.

tk123

+1 How old is the dog and how old was he when he got neutered?

hollytrees

He was 4.

DBB

I've had a good old trawl through the research on this one... there's been a fair bit of research carried out in recent years. All I can find is that neutered male dogs may show increased types of aggression in some cases, and decreased sexual behaviours.
It is pretty certain that testosterone helps a male dog feel confident, and many people will avoid neutering a nervous, young male, preferring to allow those hormones to do their work. But there is nothing that I have even read or seen to suggest that an already-confident dog would suddenly lose his confidence due to losing his testicles.
Unfortunately, neutering is one of those procedures that attracts a huge amount of confirmation bias, where the operation is blamed for a behavioural change that, when you dig a little deeper, was probably more likely to have been caused by something else. So, in your case OP, it would be interesting to find out if there were other things going on in your dog's life that might be more likely to have caused his behavioural change. Was there a routine change? Did someone leave or enter his life? Did he develop separation anxiety for some reason (very often associated with noise phobias, so if your dog is fearful of, for example, thunder, or fireworks, this is a very real runner)? Does he get worried when you leave him alone? Did he experience something scary or traumatic? Remember, it may be something that you're not even aware of!
I'm not saying that your dog is not suffering the after-effects of neutering, it's just that there is nothing, evidence-wise, to suggest that a dog would suddenly change from being calm and confident to clingy and anxious due to neutering.

maggiepip

hollytrees wrote: »

I got my male dog done in October. He used to be fairly independent and chilled out. However he has changed so much is in that he is so needy, follows me around the house and is constantly looking for attention. I've another dog and he tries pushes her out of the way if I pet her. Any advice welcome

I thought this was an interesting article - RE: the anxiety/fear and the connection with testosterone:


http://www.angryvet.com/neutering-and-behavior/

Bullseye1

Excellent read Maggie.

strandroad

My fella has not changed apart from that he dropped his very occasional blanket humping attempts. He was always cuddly though.

dkod

I got my dog neutered at 6 months. Keyhole so no cone and dog was in great form. However 3 months later he began what I call the teenage stage. Basically became a bit of a pup! Whatever I said he did the opposite. He is fine again now(most of the time). So I think at 9 months or so they change anyway and that used be rhe age when neutering was advised.

aonb

maggiepip wrote: »

I thought this was an interesting article - RE: the anxiety/fear and the connection with testosterone:


http://www.angryvet.com/neutering-and-behavior/

Interesting article but what does this mean:

In Europe castration is largely considered tantamount to declawing, tail docking and ear cropping. " ????! Seems a very strange statement, to be followed by a full stop, and not further explanation!

Also, the article cites the thesis by a "renowned behavourist" in her MASTERS thesis - Im sorry, but a MASTERS thesis is not typically of an in-depth and proven level to be citing with such conviction! In addition, the data she cites in the thesis "were not peer-reviewed or published"

I think there is a lot of scare mongering today about neutering. Ive always neutered (so maybe Im biased?) my dogs on the grounds that it stops them straying to bitches in the area. It is pretty much the only reason I have neutered. Ive always neutered our cats because I believe its the responsible thing to do, and dont want unwanted/uncared for kittens.

While I know nothing about the health ramifications and behaviour ramifications - this is my opinion only - I have never had behaviour problems/issues with my pets before/after neutering that I could label as neutering-related.

While I have only ever had dogs rather than bitches, I suppose there is an argument for bitch owners being the ones to neuter as they are the ones left with the puppies.

Just my 2 cents worth

maggiepip

@ Aonb - that simply means that in other European countries such as Norway, Sweden they consider neutering/spaying to be an unnecessary procedure (like tail docking, ear cropping) and the responsibility of stopping dogs roaming, dogs behaviour etc. lies with the owner - not a surgical procedure.

The article is honest, it doesn't claim to have 100% scientific proof - it doesn't pretend certain arguments are clear cut facts. I feel its something to think about.

fatmammycat

I think neutering too young stunts the mentality in some dogs, they seem to almost exist in semi-pup like stage.
I pack-walk my dog a few times a month with a group of dogs, some I've know from puppyhood and there is a marked difference in both look and behaviour (all anecdotal, I admit, but it's just worth mentioning).
My dog is reaching maturity; he is remarkably stable, a little aloof around people and other dogs and is able to handle hostile, barking or giddy dogs without amping himself up to a reaction, it's like he is 'mature' enough to figure out how to react (of course a lot of this is training and management, I can tell when he needs an out, or a redirect). When he was 9/10 months he def went into a slightly more reactive/fearful phase, but outgrew around 12/13 months with more confidence than he'd had previously.

Physically, compared to the three other Shepherds he socialises with, he is more square in the face, more masculine looking, heavier boned and deeper in the chest. His coat is different. It's sleeker, shinier, MUCH softer. He does not allow strangers to pat him at all, yet is never aggressive (am currently covered in mud from where one of the shepherds jumped all over me this morning saying 'hi').

Compared to the other three sheps, he is less 'giddy' for want of a better word. The other two intact male shepherds I know are almost exactly the same, steady, focused and a pleasure to be around. Like I said, it's entirely anecdotal, and possibly down to many factors, amount of daily exercise (don't even ask, we were out for two hours this morning), breeding and so forth, but it has given me a huge amount of thought-food to chew on as before him I was almost under the impression that the unnuetered male dog was an unmanagable sociopath always looking to brawl or get lucky, when it turns out that nothing could be further from the truth.

daithi84

I got my dog done at 8 years old because he got prostate disease and the cure was to neuter him. Afterwards he calmed down a lot and not as bold. He was a Dalmatian and they are known for acting like pups well beyond puppy years so cant judge on that aspect. He did become more docile but still a cheeky thing.

Niamho!

Got my dog done back in April. She was 4.

Change in Jumpiness!! As in, she gets a fright very easily and lets out yelps occasionally, like for example if I'm walking her and I reach down to gently touch her hind quarters, if she doesn't see me preparing to do it she lets out a yelp. She get's frights very, very easily. Other than that, no major personality changes.

Bullseye1

I would think that is significant change in personality unless she was easily startled prior to operation?

Karlitto

I am just going to respond to the OP,

Simply, no, no change at all.

Only thing was he didn't use the duvet in his bed as a sex doll.

jimf

had to have my bitch spayed in oct due to pyometra can honestly say no change what so ever no weight gain same confident cheeky little thing that she always was

if anything maybe a bit more energetic

jimf

Karlitto wrote: »

I am just going to respond to the OP,

Simply, no, no change at all.

Only thing was he didn't use the duvet in his bed as a sex doll.

my aunt used to own a pek he had a thing for toes if you get my drift

kylith

OP how did you behave toward him after he'd had the operation? Is it possible that he got more attention because he was poorly and that he is continuing attention seeking behaviours so the pets and snuggles continue? If I were you I'd ignore any unwanted behaviours and retrain him by giving attention when he's calm and chilled out.

thegreatgonzo

Our dog didn't change at all, he's quite an assertive dog and occasionally when he gets over excited will start the humping behaviour again too.

hollytrees

Thank you all for the replies, it really would make you wonder about neutering but it's done now so I just have to get on with it.

Kylith. I think you hit the nail on the head there. When I think back it could well be me who has ruined him. My husband often says that I spoil him too much. It's at the point now that he doesn't like anyone getting my attention except him. So next question is how to I change this?

SamAK

I've been considering getting my 2 year old Jack-Russell boy snipped for some time...he's nearly two and is a cheeky, confident, happy and friendly dog. I wanted to hold off getting him done because my friend has a Pug/JR bitch who he's very attached to. She's four or five now and the thinking was to let the two dogs get together and my friend gets some descendants from his companion. Then, my JR would have had his fun, and would be snipped.

Well, a few months back we introduced them when she was on heat and while my JR tried and tried and tried, he couldn't seem to get it in .....so, no pups.

Anyway, i'd really hate to see a behavioural change in my JR, he's a loved member of the family and we like him how he is! He's primarily a house dog and there are no birches around my area, he never roams(although I was thinking, one day he might do a runner, looking for a mate)....

Rips

Our first dog was 10 when he was neutered.

One person in the family is anti-neuter :rolleyes: so that is why he wasn't neutered previously. He was neutered eventually because he had orchitis, of course.

Not one single change, either behaviourally or physically. Lived a further 5 years before succumbing to CHF.

____________________________

Current dog was neutered age 5 so also had established personality.

No negative behavioural change at all.

He was inclined to want to roam, and he used to 'stress', whinge and pace occasionally. That's gone now.

Its been a year since he was neutered and he is just now starting to get fat, but the person in the family who was against neutering him refuses to stop overfeeding him, and blames his weight-gain on the neutering :rolleyes:

______________________________________

I have fostered several dogs which were all neutered before rehoming at varying ages, from 6months - adult, and no negative changes to report.

borderlinemeath

SamAK wrote: »

I've been considering getting my 2 year old Jack-Russell boy snipped for some time...he's nearly two and is a cheeky, confident, happy and friendly dog. I wanted to hold off getting him done because my friend has a Pug/JR bitch who he's very attached to. She's four or five now and the thinking was to let the two dogs get together and my friend gets some descendants from his companion. Then, my JR would have had his fun, and would be snipped.

Well, a few months back we introduced them when she was on heat and while my JR tried and tried and tried, he couldn't seem to get it in .....so, no pups.

:(:(
I can't express how utterly wrong this would have been on so many levels.

Dogs don't need 'to have his fun'. It's hormones, they don't get fun/pleasure from mating. It's a temporary relief from the urge to mate. Give him half an hour and he'd be frustrated as hell to want to mate again. It's an instinctual urge, and if they don't get their way, they get extremely, extremely frustrated.

The same myth about a female needing to have a litter is also rubbish. How many pups was your friend intending on keeping? What if the bitch had 10 pups? I just couldn't in good conscience breed from a pair of pedigree dogs, let alone a cross breed, where part heritage (pug) suffers from so many health and breathing issues and the other breed is the most common dog in rsecues and pounds.

Do you know how many dogs in pounds and rescue centres are JRTs or JRT crosses? Hundreds. I would put a bet on that there's one in every pound in the country because they are not wanted. They are fleetingly wanted when they're cute little puppies but when they reach adolescence, say around 9 months to a year they can become a nightmare for the owner that picks up a cheap pup on done deal and then discards them because they are simply unprepared for a teenage terrier. Then they're dumped in the local pound, or rescue if they're lucky, as they'll have a far better chance of survival.

Anyway, i'd really hate to see a behavioural change in my JR, he's a loved member of the family and we like him how he is! He's primarily a house dog and there are no birches around my area, he never roams(although I was thinking, one day he might do a runner, looking for a mate)....

Again, pick a pound, any pound, any rescue and count the JRTs & JRT crosses. Do the right thing. If he can get out, he will get out.

crustybla

Apparently, as has been said, they have the urge to mate, which is fine in the wild where they can wonder about and socialise all they want to. As pets, this isn't possible so I assume neutering would help with that. It would certainly ease the frustration. I had my guy done at 6 months. I know he was young but still noticed no difference in him at all. When we got back from the vets he went straight into play mode in the garden. We acted like nothing had happened any different to any other day, though I wanted to spoil him rotten after his 'ordeal'!

kylith

My brother had his dog neutered at about the age of 4, after I managed to convince him that a) the dog doesn't want or need to 'get laid' and b) unless he has 8 homes lined up no-one wants terrier mixes and the pounds are full of them. There was no change to the dog's personality, he didn't get lazy, he didn't put on weight. He is, however, much happier not fretting about bitches.

Males that smell a bitch in heat are a real menace. I was stalked by a large lab while walking a bitch coming into her first heat, labs are big dogs and quite frightening when they're following you and barking. A dog I had in childhood was mated twice by male terriers climbing a 5' fence to get into our garden; my parents thought she didn't need to be neutered as the garden was enclosed. And, finally, a lady I knew on a forum in the UK had a male get injured when he broke a window to get to a bitch.

SamAK

borderlinemeath wrote: »

:(:(
I can't express how utterly wrong this would have been on so many levels

Well, my apologies, but i'm no expert. Which is why I posted here, because I was interested in the response.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Dogs don't need 'to have his fun'. It's hormones, they don't get fun/pleasure from mating. It's a temporary relief from the urge to mate.

I imagined(in my ignorance, admittedly) that to let nature to take it's course(once) would somehow be beneficial to the animal. And the female cross in question is a lovely, clever little thing, without the hideous pug face:rolleyes:, so to cross her with a pure JR might have produced some interesting results.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

What if the bitch had 10 pups?

You're right in bringing this up. I'm the owner of the male, so I didn't think about it. I am now. If the bitch had 10 pups we might have kept three between us, and the rest..given away. No, we aren't the sorts to beat dogs with a shovel or drown them, before anyone assumes.

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Again, pick a pound, any pound, any rescue and count the JRTs & JRT crosses. Do the right thing. If he can get out, he will get out.

I love animals more than I do a lot of humans, and your help has made my decision concrete. It is the right thing.

To the vet he goes! (Hopefully there will be no major personality changes...)

strandroad

SamAK wrote: »

You're right in bringing this up. I'm the owner of the male, so I didn't think about it. I am now. If the bitch had 10 pups we might have kept three between us, and the rest..given away. No, we aren't the sorts to beat dogs with a shovel or drown them, before anyone assumes.

I love animals more than I do a lot of humans, and your help has made my decision concrete. It is the right thing.

To the vet he goes! (Hopefully there will be no major personality changes...)

Pounds are bursting at the seams and thousands of dogs are PTS every year even without your 7 hypothetical pups added to to the pool... Just looked at Mullingar pound page today and two thirds of unwanted dogs there are terriers. Congrats on making the right decision!