Truth or Rumor - Neuter?

[TraciG]

The lady who gave me Brutus in no expert in raising dogs, but she has had quite a few litters. When she gave him to me she said I should make sure I got him neutered BEFORE he started lifting his leg to go potty or he would start marking his territory. His neuter is scheduled for 11/26 and he will be exactly 6 months old. Today he lifted a leg just a bit. Should I see if the vet will neuter him earlier? The vet said it was due to his size (4.2lbs), but obviously there are boys that are smaller than Brutus and they get neutered.

[dawn27]

I think you should be fine.... I believe that she was just saying to do it as early as possible to avoid the urge to mark as they do the older they get.

I could be wrong....

[TraciG]

Dawn, I noticed we are from the same city! Small world... I left Ohio in 88, still a Buckeye fan and now live in Ft. Wayne.

[RileyDC]

I think you should be fine!
Riley was born May 12th, last year and I got him neutered Nov. 12th....
Exactly 6-months later and I haven't had any problems.

A lot of vets like to wait until around 8 months in case all their
baby teeth haven't fallen out, yet.

[Wrenee4]

We had Keegan fixed at 7 months old and he does lift his leg to potty, BUT does not mark! The diff is that marking they go all over little tiny bits to mark their territory.

[shodanusmc]

Wait till he is 9 months old or so. Let those growth plates close. Even some spayed females lift their legs.

[chachi]

Lifting a leg to pee is just natural boy dog behavior

[Cherie6446]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Wait till he is 9 months old or so. Let those growth plates close. Even some spayed females lift their legs.

I was amazed to read this. My little Gina always lifted her leg while out walking. I thought it was the strangest thing - a female doing that. She was not an Alpha girl - just a sweet little girl.
Cherie

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Cherie6446

I was amazed to read this. My little Gina always lifted her leg while out walking. I thought it was the strangest thing - a female doing that. She was not an Alpha girl - just a sweet little girl.
Cherie

Our little 14 1/2 year old female has been doing it for years! Sometimes the 11 month old male boys lift their legs, sometimes they sort of squat, but when they do that, they pee on their front legs.

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by TraciG

Dawn, I noticed we are from the same city! Small world... I left Ohio in 88, still a Buckeye fan and now live in Ft. Wayne.

Do you mean Bean Town ?

I sent you a message....

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by chachi

Lifting a leg to pee is just natural boy dog behavior

And to poop!!!!! Sally + Harry x

[hnybun128]

It's not just the lady who gave you Brutus who said that. I've heard that my whole life about dogs and cats alike. I have always heard people say to have them fixed before they start marking. The idea is that if they begin to mark, they'll never stop. I have absolutely no idea how accurate this notion is. I personally wouldn't alter a dog under 6 months. With these little guys, I'd wait even longer to see if all their puppy teeth fall out first so you wouldn't have to put them under twice.

[TraciG]

Dawn, yes - bean town - lol. Stopped at Fat Jacks on the way to and from C-bus for the ohio- michigan state game, and then again last sunday because my aunt was in town. Can't find a dang pizza place in this city like Fat Jacks.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Wait till he is 9 months old or so. Let those growth plates close. Even some spayed females lift their legs.

Originally Posted by chachi

Lifting a leg to pee is just natural boy dog behavior

I agree with both of you. I neutered Kaji at 12 months (I had no choice) and he doesn't mark indoors at all. He knows that doesn't make me a happy camper. When outside, he can mark until he runs out of fuel. In fact, I encourage it.

[jadabug]

Bogie was 10 months old when we had him neutered, he will lift his leg to pee outside, but he squats on the pee pad in the house. He has never marked.