Getting your dog fixed?

[MuleShack]

Mr. M'shack I don't understand part of your post.

The initial part of the thread was for marking in the house (as I interpreted it) because that is the big talker that I hear from intact male owners.

I strongly believe that you train the dog (by what ever means you are used to, leash, ecollor, command, hand signals) to behave the way you want and that you as the owner can prevent that unwanted behavior thru training. Cutting the marbles is not the quick answer.

My male gsp doesn't mark in the house, garage or trucks but will mark our property lines occasionally on the acreage. when we go to the dog park, sometimes he will mark every 5th post and other days he wont do it to any. but that is fine because it is play time and outdoors.

My comments were directed to dogs marking in the house/garage/vehicles etc.

Heck i have a spayed lab that wants to hump a pillow after dinner each night but all i do is snap my fingers and she walks away

[Ufatz]

Okay, now we're getting somewhere. "cutting the marbles" as you put it has never been an attempted cure for marking etc. NO dog should be permitted to mark IN the house or garage or truck!!! Good Grief!! Yes, a good pee run and then down to business at trial or in the field hunting.

It's all about dog control....what you do for YOUR benefit and what you do for the DOGS benefit.

I thought you meant every time a dog wanted to pee, while just out for a walk, you wanted to hit him with the collar. I disagreed with that. Frankly, and I am not addressing you personally, I fear there are too many people using collars who should not have them and who abuse them.

And finally, I still have seen no differences between my nuetered males and the other dogs in a hunting group when it comes to drive, stamina and determination.

So we're all cool here.

[Fishaholic2011]

Thanks for all your input. I will be waiting until the dog is fully developed before cutting.

[CANOPY SAM]

Me too! Good read! Thanks everyone. Our black lab is now 9 months, so I should probably wait till he's 12-16 months, right?

[nofishfisherman]

From a maturity standpoint I've always heard waiting 12 months. I don't think there is a huge difference between 12-16 months.

[Ufatz]

With all respect to those who advise waiting for "adulthood" for a dog before spaying , I must say BALDERDASH! If someone can prove to me with scientific, biological evidence that it makes a difference I'll throw in the towel.

But of ALL the dogs I have had, female and male, hunting and non hunting, I have never seen any indication that neutering at 3-4 months has had any adverse affect on the dog. My hunting dogs, mainly Labs, have run neck and neck with unfixed dogs for many days in many climates and were still ready for more at the end of the day.

I am not a vet, have not made a study of the subject and am simply stating my observations and those of others I have known and hunted with.

I am just NOT convinced you must wait until a male dog is a year old before you neuter it. Actually, seems like a dirty trick when he's reached that age; when he sorta knows what things are all about. Ha!

[cavalierowner]

With all respect to those who advise waiting for "adulthood" for a dog before spaying , I must say BALDERDASH! If someone can prove to me with scientific, biological evidence that it makes a difference I'll throw in the towel.

But of ALL the dogs I have had, female and male, hunting and non hunting, I have never seen any indication that neutering at 3-4 months has had any adverse affect on the dog. My hunting dogs, mainly Labs, have run neck and neck with unfixed dogs for many days in many climates and were still ready for more at the end of the day.

I am not a vet, have not made a study of the subject and am simply stating my observations and those of others I have known and hunted with.

I am just NOT convinced you must wait until a male dog is a year old before you neuter it. Actually, seems like a dirty trick when he's reached that age; when he sorta knows what things are all about. Ha!

Here you go: http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html The author is a PhD and the paper is based on 18 scientific studies. This is, in part, what I base my advise to puppy buyers on. But everyone has a right to their own opinion.

[Pinusbanksiana]

With all respect to those who advise waiting for "adulthood" for a dog before spaying , I must say BALDERDASH! If someone can prove to me with scientific, biological evidence that it makes a difference I'll throw in the towel.

But of ALL the dogs I have had, female and male, hunting and non hunting, I have never seen any indication that neutering at 3-4 months has had any adverse affect on the dog. My hunting dogs, mainly Labs, have run neck and neck with unfixed dogs for many days in many climates and were still ready for more at the end of the day.

I am not a vet, have not made a study of the subject and am simply stating my observations and those of others I have known and hunted with.

I am just NOT convinced you must wait until a male dog is a year old before you neuter it. Actually, seems like a dirty trick when he's reached that age; when he sorta knows what things are all about. Ha!

Just think how much better they could have been. Instead of neck and neck, yours would have be way out in front!

[Ufatz]

Hey Cavalier! Very interesting paper, no question about it. In light of that a guy WOULD have to give some serious thought to the issue. Of course I was not aware of the mans work and if I were in the situation of getting a new dog I'd remember the article and also want to see if there are any similar studies to confirm or alter his conclusions.

As stated: my postings are based on personal experience with more than a dozen dogs over nearly fifty years. But then, we didn't KNOW as much for many of those years either.

Thanks for posting it.