7-9 months is a good age to neuter a small breed. Sometimes once the habit is ingrained, they may be markers forever. But if you catch it soon enough, neutering will likely solve the problem. He is still young. No, a girlfriend will make the problem 1000x worse.
Jackson HATES the vet. He is terrified of vets and groomers. It breaks my heart but sometimes things HAVE to be done. I cried when I dropped him off for his dental.
But he was fine afterwards and healthier because of it.