Neutering and Personality???
 

I am going to call and make Link and appointment to get neutered...I have been thinking about it and was just wondering if his little personality will change when i get him fixed. I had 2 of my big dogs spay and neutered last year and they seem like different dogs now..there personality changed a lot. My pit just looks depressed all the time and my lab isn't as active as she was, she could play fetch forever, now she wont even go after the ball. They are older dogs, 5 and 6 so not sure if that might play a part in it. Could anyone help me out and tell me if there yorkies personality changed after they were neutered.

You won't see much change if you neuter them when they are young, they actually will stay more puppy like, rather than have the qualities of an adult dog. Dogs 5 and 6 year old do need more stimulation to play then when they are younger, but I think it's unusual for them to be depressed. Maybe there's something else going on?

I had Chewie neutered when he was about 6 months, and didn't notice any personality changes at all. He is quite a bit less rambunctious now, but I chalk that up to the fact that he's not a puppy anymore (almost 2 yrs. old). His personality hasn't changed, he's just toned down on the tearing around ALL THE TIME. :)

Beemer was neutered when he turned two. My vet told me that I wouldn't see any change in his personality and I haven't. He does mark less but there's no guarantee on that. The vet did say that he might have more of a tendency to gain weight but so far he hasn't. He's really just my same little Beemer!

Neutering didn't have any impact on my boys' personalities. They are just as energetic and feisty as ever.

There are rare instances in which neutering can cause negative changes. A member here had a bad experience and regretted neutering her dog.

Our Dex is 7/12 months and was Neutered a few weeks ago. No change, still tries hump the females in our house.

That sounds concerning. In my experience there is no change. Kaji is the same cuddle bug he's always been and he loves to play play play.

Neither one of mine showed changes in their personalities.... Bevo gained almost 2 pounds though!!! lol

I just had my stud neutered at age 8, I been breeding for a while now and never experience any personality change on my dogs or my placed puppies, that parents are concerned about, i do keep in touch at least once a year with my puppy parents.
I had my Prada spayed at 6 months of age due to her having congenital problems, and she gain weight but is under control now and she is a healthy somewhat active 4 year old,our mixed breed Relay is also neutered, and he is still a pest..LOL in a good sense, playful, loves to chase the girls in the yard and loves to bite my son's Niko's tail, and super loving puppy. now with Harrison I have not seen any change, he still the carry me, carry me please dog I always had, so far..
hugs,

I am with others here; in the fact that if there was a quick change from active, energetic, play, exercise needing and enjoying dogs, to quiet, no interest in walks, toys, or games you played before the neutering; then I think more investigation is needed.
There might be some other health issue going on, your vet is the best one to speak to about this.
While at present none of my dogs are neutered, as they have "aged" , they have matured in their head, but are still very interested in life. In our walks, in our swims, in playing games, etc. In the past, our neutered animals did not display indifference to their usual "prespay" activities. But yes there was a tendency to gain weight. Amount of food versus exercise, needs to be considered, and adjusted accordingly, to acheive optimal weight and health.

Also this might be the time to sit down and evaluate your interactions with the two older dogs. I'm not too sure, but it seems like you recently got another dog/puppy into the house, ie your Yorkie. Are you spending less time with your older two? Doing things differently; like have the sleeping arrangements changed? Working more/less? Different house? Do you make the time to have one on one time with your older two? Has their food changed? Just sit and think about things as objectively as you can.

In terms of neutering your Yorkie, try to have an honest discussion with your vet about the pros and cons.

Thank you all for the responses...The 5 and 6 year old are pretty active they just seem different to me. I go out and play with them everyday..we also have a 1 year old german shepherd in the fence with them. When i play fetch with them my lab which is the 6 year old just stands at my side or she will run just a little then turn around and come back...my german shepherd is an extremely fast runner and im thinking that she knows shes not going to get the toy so why even try. Im gonna get them some more toys to play fetch with and have 2 at a time to throw to see if that will help. My hubby says the 5 year old is depressed because i took his manhood away and then we got a male german shepherd that still has his..lol..the vet said they are both very healthy.

oh, that explains a LOT, if the shepperd is intact the other dog is sensing he is no longer the top dog and he is feeling it, any specific reason why the shepperd is still intact? are you going to breed him, if not I will suggest neuter him ASAP, you will be doing a service to him with his health and I am pretty sure your 5 year old will be a happier dog too..
hugs,

The 5 year old is a pit and has never been one for fetch. He likes tug of war which he always wins...lol. If i actually sit and think about it he has always been more laid back than the others.

We are seriously think about him being a stud...he is an import and has a long line of Champions in his blood line. If we decide not to then i will definitely have him neutered asap.

Ha ha, men tend to think this way, but Cesar, the Dog Whisperer, a very macho :p man talks about some of the myths in neutering. For example, "Myth #1: A dog will feel like less of a “man” or “woman” after being sterilized."

He says:
Spay and Neuter Myths | Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan

My pets' personalities have never changed by being spayed or neutered. I wish it slowed them dogs down some but it never has.

We're about to make an appointment to get Oliver our Shih Tzu neutered. He's about 1 1/2 and also Basil our other Shih Tzu who is 5 months old now. I'm really hoping that their personality stays the same because they are such sweeties. I know we had Zach our Yorkie done when he was about 6 months old and he's just as crazy as ever.

Nick is 7 mo.old. Neuter or not to Neuter?
 

I have read the posts there and am still 50/50 about getting Nicky neutered. I plan on getting another male yorkie down the road and think neutering him will be good as to stop marking all over the house(yes I am training him but it's been difficult with that.) His personality is really fistey and rambunctious. I just love the way he plays fetch, etc. But can tend to "bite" a little too much and too hard. Wondering if that's a testosterone thing or just a puppy thing I hope he grows out of. ? Any advise will help. Thanks!:)

I think those things are more of a puppy thing and they are teething at that age. Did you get him before 12 weeks? His mom and littermates help teach him inhibition of the biting reflex, and this means that he'll still bite, but it won't be so hard. Seriously, if you want him to remain the same, neuter him, and let him remain a playful little boy, instead of a frustrated old man! An unneutered dog will mark more and the smell is much stronger. Joey never marks in the house, only outside.

thanks
 

Thank-you for the advise. I do think it will help
with his marking urges..and yes the smell is strong
..all I do is clean, but he's gotten better. And if I get another
Male they won't be so aggressive toward each other.
Working on the biting...lots of chew toys too! Thx again

Have you been to the vet to check your dogs thyroid levels out or to have a full blood panel done?

I neutered my male Rottweiler at age 5 (He is now 8). He is on a raw diet, has had very little Vaccinations and he has the energy of a 6 month old pup. Adria is 2 years old and I have talked with her breeder and friends that love to research things related to dogs. I will not spay Adria until age 4 - if I spay her at all and No - I will never breed her either.