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Neutering / behaviour changes? Hey all Have some questions about neutering my Yorkie. He's current 8.5 months. My boyfriend has some issues around neutering, basically doesn't want to do it and has done research into "sterilization", which apparently is commonplace in Europe (which is where we're moving). It's apparently like a vasectomy for dogs, so not castration. But I want to just neuter him I think. We're really in disagreement about this. So I've been doing research but I'd like to ask you guys as fellow Yorkie owners. Does it change their behaviour at all? Does it correct behaviour problems? Our guy has serious marking problems, I had him totally housetrained, then we moved houses and the marking began and hasn't stopped since. I have to have a constant eye on him, and even if I put a belly band on he pees in it. I've heard neutering can correct this...true? He's also extremely playful and energetic, normal for a dog his age, but I'm wondering if neutering would mellow him out at all. I also want to do it because I imagine he'd be so sexually frustrated being intact but unable to mate. Since he can't mate, I think neutering is almost more fair to him. Let me know what you guys think - any corrections to my thinking are welcome. Thanks! |
Neutering does not automatically change behavior. A dog who has learned to mark will likely need to be trained not to mark even after being neutered. Neutering did not slow down my 2 boys at all. They are energetic and feisty as ever as they close in on age 6 and 7. I am strongly in favor of neutering pets, although my reasons have evolved somewhat. There are a couple of lengthy threads in the general forum discussing the pros and cons. |
I support Neutering I have two yorkies, one is 4 years old and neutered and the other is 3 years old and whole. The main differences between them is that the neutered still plays like a puppy and pees in the right places, although sometimes (like once every 3 months) he will mark a place in which the other yorkie has been. The whole dog wouldnt learn not to leave his marks no matter how hard I tried and is a little aggressive but that another issue I am working into for it is getting out of hand. Overall, it extends their life span. If you want to avoid the peeing marks you have to neuter your puppy before he is 8 months. |
A vasectomy is not a bad idea, IMO. I think that it's more expensive though and you have to find vets who will do it. Neutering may or may not help marking. He's still young enough where I think it actually could halt the behavior (but hormones take 2-3 weeks to get out of their system after surgery). I know someone who had a 5 or 6 year old dog neutered and they almost immediately stopped marking. It really just depends I think. There's pros and cons to both. I lean more towards... just neuter him. He's old enough now that for a small dog his growth plates are closed, etc, I think 8 months is actually a good age and prefer it to the 4-6 month age range. And there's enough research on both ends of the argument that to me, the benefits/cons are pretty equal, leaning towards more benefits. JMO. |
Neutering is performed for health issues, to eliminate testicular cancer. The benefits you "may" get is no marking, less or no aggression. The earlier you neutering the greater chance your dog will not mark. I have a rescue dog that was Neutered at 8 months old. He does not make in house or yard, what I did find out was, when he is walked near fences, trees, fire hydrants, he will mark, soooo, I don't walk him near anything he can hike that little leg of his lol. |
Neutering can help with overall behavior, but it will not make a dog docile and it will not magically cure behavior problems. It won't make a dog more friendly with other dogs or walk on a leash better. Max was hiking his leg at 13 weeks of age, although he did not mark in the house. I allow my neutered boys to mark outdoors on our walks. Admittedly, I encouraged it by praising them. I was trying to reenforce that just about anything outdoors was good. They know not to do it at the doorway of a building or other inappropriate places though. |
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Neutering didn't change our boys' personalities at all...nor did it change marking behaviors...soem dogs are just prone to mark, unforch. |
Thanks guys. So the procedure is called "Zeuterin" and it's a chemical neutering instead of a surgical one. Apparently it reduces testosterone by 50%. I think some testosterone is beneficial to keep, but then I'm worried that it will also make him continue to mark. I'm thinking of hiring a trainer to help with marking... I wanted to do it at 6 months before he even started marking but then I decided to wait because I heard something about growth plates needing to close. Now I'm not sure that was the right call. I'm going to call around a bunch more vets and see... When he marks even outside he also pees all over his own belly and legs. Not sure if neutering will fix but I'm gonna do more research! |
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