Neutering is surgery. But it is far less problematic than spaying a female. because with a female they actually have to open the body and remove ovaries (may uterus?) I don't know about that.
With neuter a male the testicles are just removed.
Bentley had that done around 6 mos of age...though I hear it can be done earlier. Mao vet prefers to wait until the dogs puppy teeth are out and new teeth are in.
I live in the country and the vet I used come to town on the first and third wednesday of each month. We have other vets as well. I choose the vet who charges $85.00 rather than the one who charges $160.00.
I brought Bentley to his office att 9:00 ANM...and picked him up at 3:00 PM.
he was awake but still groggy from the medication he received.
I brought him home and he slept most of the evening.
When he was awake he was a bit stumbly on his feet...but he could walk.
He appeared to be a bit uncomfortable so I gave him one half of a baby aspirin.
By the next morning he was romping about and I I had to try to keep him from jumping on things.
The area of the incision was closed with stitches. It was swollen at first...as the vet said it would be.
There was no problem whatsoever.
Neutering is quite a simple operation.
He never started marking. Ar 6 months he was just starting to raise his leg to pee. He still raises it sometimes...but usually does not.
He's very good about holding it now...and I can leave the house as long as 7 hours without him having an accident. maybe longer...but I have never needed to be gone longer. If I need to be gone very long I take him to my daughter's or have her stop over to let him in and out.
I have pad available...but only put them down if I know I will be gone quite a long time....like all afternoon.
He was doing perfect for about the last 5 months ...(up to age 11 months) Then I changed the arrangement of some furniture in the living room...and he suddenly decided to poop behind a certain chair. Then one day he looked right at me...squatted and peed on the rug!!!!
I made a big deal about it...and put him outside. I sopped it up...put on some Nature's Miracle...and put out a puppy pad (like returning to diapers!). That problem only lasted a day or two.. He's now doing very well again ..... going outside 100%.
I notice that in the morning...if I try to ignore him too long (like I don't want to get up yet).....that's when he may give up....and dump on the floor. So if he acts like he need to go....out he goes.
if I let him out around 10:00PM he won't need to go out again till 7:00 or 7:30 AM.
I think if you want the dog totally self sufficient...not needing to go out....I'd try litter training with the paper pellets they use for dogs (and I think rabbits.) I think it would be less expensive to buy large quantities...like for rabbits. Not the $15.00 bad at PetCo.
It looks like person with the cat door to the garage and a safe area is a great idea.