Are male Yorkies just as good as females?

[phfgkl]

Originally Posted by tskinner

Roc is trained to go outside and has been for quite a while now, surprisingly eaiser job than I thought it would be, but he is not neutered (since my dh says nobody his touching his manly parts) and he has never marked in the house. He has a great tempermant. I am contemplating getting a female next go around so this is a very interesting post for me.

How old is your little guy? The thing is, when they're not neutered, they are more apt to get certain cancers, they are more likely to run out of the house(and can get hurt by bigger dogs, or get run over by cars when a female(they can smell a mile away) is in heat, so, therefore, they are better pets when neutered. How old is your little guy? He may be too young to start marking, but, it can happen. Not to sound mean, I would not own a male dog that wasn't neutered(jmo). I have one male, he was neutered the day after I got him at 5 1/2 mos.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I have known many dogs and many people with dogs and I'd never heard of belly bands until I joined YT. I'm sorry, this makes no sense to me. It goes against all my experience, and the experiences of many people here. I have absolutely seen Thor go from marking in my apartment to not doing so, and it was part of potty training. Now, I'm not sure I would trust him in someone else's house, but that's still a training issue I think - I can't practice that enough to know one way or the other, and that would be for peeing AND marking.

I would hate to think that someone would get talked out of getting a male dog because they thought they couldn't control indoor marking. Of course you can.

================================

ETA: Yeah, I'm not sure how intact males would act around a female in heat, I could certainly see that prompting marking.

I think people are a little confused; I'm talking about intact males. Has Thor been fixed? You say he no longer marks and you stopped it through potty training, yet marking has nothing to do with potty training. They have no urge to empty their bladder when they mark.


Most neutered dogs will not mark in the house, unless something prompts them. That's why when a neutered male, who has never marked in his own home, visits another home, and marks, something has prompted him. If he had really learned not to mark, he would not mark at the new home either. It has very much to do with "marking" their territory, a one dog family even an intact male, may not have any reason to mark. Dogs vary greatly on the amount of testosterone produced, and marking is related to testosterone. I've read of some people say their intact males never mark in their house, I think this has little to do with what they were taught, and more on their internal wiring. This is the reason most people suggest getting male dogs neutered before marking becomes established.

[shell820810]

My aunt has a 2.5 yr old male un-neutered Sheltie. He does not mark in the house at all. When Millie went over there he did it once or twice at the start and then was fine. She does have to keep an eye on him in other peoples houses. He is totally trained to go outside, and never pees (or marks) in the house. She thinks its a training thing.

[Darlene68]

Eeeek! my head is spinning..I never had concerns with previous female dogs, that was the reason for my post. I'm just hoping my little guy will not pee all over my apartment when I receive him..that is my wish!

[shell820810]

Originally Posted by Darlene68

Eeeek! my head is spinning..I never had concerns with previous female dogs, that was the reason for my post. I'm just hoping my little guy will not pee all over my apartment when I receive him..that is my wish!

I've just gotten Toby, and am hoping this as well. At the minute I am not intending to neuter him, because I feel that the side effects are worse than the benefits. So I really hope it is something that can be trained out of him, and not instinct.

So far I am noticing him a lot smellier than Millie. We have to wipe his belly (and usually his feet too) everytime he pees. We never had to do this with Millie. And all his beds and toys smell of pee too. Had to wash him and all his belongings yesterday. Having had both, for practicalities, I would prefer a female.

[mizzwanned]

Just get him neautered really young. My male is very affectionate but does not stay in your arms for too long. He is not neautered so he marks but he's getting better at it. My female is peepad trained and very affectionate. My other female that i had was the most affectionate out of all, she always wanted mommy and always gave kisses lol

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by shell820810

I've just gotten Toby, and am hoping this as well. At the minute I am not intending to neuter him, because I feel that the side effects are worse than the benefits. So I really hope it is something that can be trained out of him, and not instinct.

So far I am noticing him a lot smellier than Millie. We have to wipe his belly (and usually his feet too) everytime he pees. We never had to do this with Millie. And all his beds and toys smell of pee too. Had to wash him and all his belongings yesterday. Having had both, for practicalities, I would prefer a female.

oh yea Teddy is a lot smellier too! The girls never smell bad, in fact Sophie always smelled like a baby but because when Teddy pees it gets on his belly he gets smelly.

[mizzwanned]

Originally Posted by Marilize

I disagree that a dog can't be trained out of marking. I have a male and a female and Cash (male) used to mark everything inside. I couldn't take him into a new house because he would mark everything. I got him neutered and he has never marked inside again. He does lift his leg whenever he pees and he marks outside. He marked me when we went to meet June (totally gross), but he has never marked inside the house again.

With regards to the male vs female discussion, Cash is totally independent, he doesn't really cuddle and although he is an excellent worker, he is also very moody. He gets bitchy with June and if he is angry with me, he will sulk for days. He has good moods and bad moods (in bad moods, he usually retreats to the laundry bin or snaps at June).

Cash has never been affectionate and he only cuddles with me when he is cold - I am happy that winter is here! It took me a long time to warm up to him and him to me. We have a great bond now, but that is thanks to clicker training. He is a great worker and will do anything to hear that 'click'.

Now, June (female) on the other hand is still a puppy, but she is the sweetest little thing ever. She loves to cuddle, wants to be near you the whole time and is way more affectionate. She is also well on her way to being clicker trained.

I think it depends on personality since I searched a long time to get a puppy like June. I already had an independent dog and wanted to get a cuddly, sweet little thing and I found her. She is still very young, but she has a submissive, yet spunky personality and I am falling in love with the little rascal. I turned down a lot of cute puppies because I was set on not having an independent dog again.

I know it may change as she gets older, but she is way more sensitive than Cash ever was and she is so eager to please. The rest is just learned behaviour.

Aww June sounds very sweet. I hope i can find one like her. London is a little independent, she will lay on your lap forever and likes to be carried but hates kisses and goes on her way when she wants to. Sophie was my little June. I miss that, i hope i can find another like that.

[phfgkl]

Originally Posted by shell820810

I've just gotten Toby, and am hoping this as well. At the minute I am not intending to neuter him, because I feel that the side effects are worse than the benefits. So I really hope it is something that can be trained out of him, and not instinct.

So far I am noticing him a lot smellier than Millie. We have to wipe his belly (and usually his feet too) everytime he pees. We never had to do this with Millie. And all his beds and toys smell of pee too. Had to wash him and all his belongings yesterday. Having had both, for practicalities, I would prefer a female.

I would like to know what side effects you're talking about. When I grew up, we had a darling little chihuahua, he was not neutered, because of this, he ran out the front door when the neighbors female was in heat, and was hit by a car, this was very traumatic for myself and my 3 siblings, then when I was in my early 20's, My mom and dads dog almost froze to death, because he was not neutered and when they let him out to use the bathroom, same thing, except it was bitter cold out(up in Illinois) and he almost froze to death. They went out looking for him for 2 hours finally found him almost dead, why, again, a female dog in heat. Ever since then, Mom has had 2 male dogs and some females, and everyone of them have been neutered, she had a very hard time with what happened both of those times. I feel myself, it's much better for them to be neutered, and I could sit down and write pros and cons, and could come up with a lot more pros on them being neutered than cons.

[shell820810]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

I would like to know what side effects you're talking about. When I grew up, we had a darling little chihuahua, he was not neutered, because of this, he ran out the front door when the neighbors female was in heat, and was hit by a car, this was very traumatic for myself and my 3 siblings, then when I was in my early 20's, My mom and dads dog almost froze to death, because he was not neutered and when they let him out to use the bathroom, same thing, except it was bitter cold out(up in Illinois) and he almost froze to death. They went out looking for him for 2 hours finally found him almost dead, why, again, a female dog in heat. Ever since then, Mom has had 2 male dogs and some females, and everyone of them have been neutered, she had a very hard time with what happened both of those times. I feel myself, it's much better for them to be neutered, and I could sit down and write pros and cons, and could come up with a lot more pros on them being neutered than cons.

I read somewhere that for males there is more risk/likehood of the cancers that it causes that the ones it prevents. Millie died from her spay, and if I had another female, I still think I would spay her, because the health benefits are supposed to outweigh the cons, but I think the medical argument for males is not as clear cut.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by mizzwanned

oh yea Teddy is a lot smellier too! The girls never smell bad, in fact Sophie always smelled like a baby but because when Teddy pees it gets on his belly he gets smelly.

A trick for boys is to have what is called a "pee string." This string directs the urine flow. The hair on the penis should be left about 1 1/2 -2 inches long, it can be trimmed so that it's a thin though. Many show breeders do this because the string guides the urine away from the long show coat. A male whose penis hair is trimmed too short, kind of splatters when he urinates. An unneutered dogs urine is also much stronger smelling that a neutered dog. Here's a link that tells more about the pee string. See the area under, "Trimming Urination Area of a Dog." Welcome to Holly Huxford's Animal Page!

[RIPMyLittleCase]

Both my boys are neutered and totally housetrained. They both mark outside but not inside. My little girl marks outside as well. They take turns marking over each other's spots! The boys both lift their legs to pee and Clara will follow suit sometimes. If either Teddy or Clara has to pee really bad, they find squatting alot faster and easier.

[tskinner]

Originally Posted by phfgkl

How old is your little guy? The thing is, when they're not neutered, they are more apt to get certain cancers, they are more likely to run out of the house(and can get hurt by bigger dogs, or get run over by cars when a female(they can smell a mile away) is in heat, so, therefore, they are better pets when neutered. How old is your little guy? He may be too young to start marking, but, it can happen. Not to sound mean, I would not own a male dog that wasn't neutered(jmo). I have one male, he was neutered the day after I got him at 5 1/2 mos.

He is two. I have no problems with neutering him. It is my dh that does. It is a man thing. Although I don't really like the idea of any unnecessary surgeries. He stays indoors and our back yard is fenced in so he doesn't get out. I may get him neutered, I may not, have not really decided on that yet.

[Gingergirlsmom]

To the OP:

Welcome to YT! I have always had both male and female dogs and my experience has led me to believe that whether or not your dog marks in the house depends more on you and your dog than on anything else.

The only male I ever had serious marking problems with was my schnauzer, who was NOT neutered. Kirby was neutered young and never developed the leg lifting habit indoors OR out. He lived to be nearly 16 and squatted like a girl his whole life. I think it may be because he was raised by my female and had no male influence. Bernie, was neutered at 9 mos and doesn't mark in the house either. Now he is partially incontinent due to neurological damage, so he lives in a belly band. But we can't hold him responsible for that. The worst experience I ever had with a dog peeing in the house was my tiny shihtzu female. I believe this was due to my being so young and inexperienced when I was house training, and her being so small (5-6 lbs). She couldn't hold it and I couldn't detect it when she did pee.

Read up on housetraining, choose a method, be consistent, and ENJOY your little boy!

We'll be watching for pictures!

[phfgkl]

Originally Posted by tskinner

He is two. I have no problems with neutering him. It is my dh that does. It is a man thing.

My hubby and son, neither one had problems with neutering the boys, infact, that's the only way I was able to get a male. Hubby said he is going to be neutered, he didn't want him to have his rocket hanging out, or humping. He has humped my one yorkie a few times, but, that's because he's showing dominance.
Here is what ASK THE VET says
Health benefits of neutering dogs dog care-neutering