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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think neutering might calm down my dog?

32 replies

ShittyArseHairs · 17/01/2022 09:41

I know people say it’s an old wives tale but could it help?? Massively reactive Rottweiler. I’ve tried everything!! She’s due in season in the next couple of months and her reactivity worse than ever. Could it be down to hormones?

Before anyone says it we are in regular training!

OP posts:
Santahasjoinedww · 17/01/2022 09:44

Do it!! We never got our rottweiler done as tbh I feared for the vet she was so awful. 10 years of heats /false pregnancies etc was awful for us all!!

Hoppinggreen · 17/01/2022 09:46

What does your vet think?

Original poster
ShittyArseHairs · 17/01/2022 09:49

@Santahasjoinedww

Do it!! We never got our rottweiler done as tbh I feared for the vet she was so awful. 10 years of heats /false pregnancies etc was awful for us all!!
Yes same here, we only go to vets if absolutely necessary as it’s a muzzle and bear hug job. No fun for anyone involved.
OP posts:
Santahasjoinedww · 17/01/2022 09:52

We also spent 2 k on surgery for mammary tumour.. Neutering removes that possibility.. Not sure if 100 % as not a vet!

amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 17/01/2022 09:54

Hi OP - a close family member is a vet so I will pass on their advice.

If the dog is already reactive, unfortunately neutering will probably make it worse. Can I just ask - do you mean aggressive reactive or just "I have to sniff everything in sight" reactive?

There are loads of health benefits to neutering but unfortunately it can make reactivity and behaviuoral problems worse Sad

Sausagedogsarethebest · 17/01/2022 09:54

As you can tell from my user name, I have a dachshund. He was very reactive and would guard certain food items and toys, really aggressively. Since having him neutered he is like a completely different dog. He still has very occasional moments with certain toys but 95% improvement on his previous behaviour.

Chely · 17/01/2022 09:55

Most dogs benefit from it. We had our rotti cross bitch done at a year old, she is an absolute delight behavioural wise (the vets love her).

Original poster
ShittyArseHairs · 17/01/2022 09:55

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned

Hi OP - a close family member is a vet so I will pass on their advice.

If the dog is already reactive, unfortunately neutering will probably make it worse. Can I just ask - do you mean aggressive reactive or just "I have to sniff everything in sight" reactive?

There are loads of health benefits to neutering but unfortunately it can make reactivity and behaviuoral problems worse Sad

Aggressive reactive unfortunately 😞
OP posts:
amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 17/01/2022 10:02

@Sausagedogsarethebest

As you can tell from my user name, I have a dachshund. He was very reactive and would guard certain food items and toys, really aggressively. Since having him neutered he is like a completely different dog. He still has very occasional moments with certain toys but 95% improvement on his previous behaviour.
Oh the poor love Sad

That being said, PP above said it calmed her dachshund down so it might be worth speaking to a vet/behaviourist for their advice.

sausagedogsarethebest (I agree, btw) - your dog is male, right? it might be the lack of testosterone that has helped him. But honestly it is rare for a dog's behaviour to improve after neutering unless it was related to being horny and humping!

Lockheart · 17/01/2022 10:06

It's a really difficult one - it might help but it might make things worse. I've seen it happen in either direction with labradors. I'd consult a couple of vets and a behaviourist before making the final decision.

LegsMiserables · 17/01/2022 10:12

Where behaviours improve - do you see it straight away or after a while?

ColletteTheLot · 17/01/2022 10:15

Why isn't she neutered already?

LemonViolet · 17/01/2022 10:20

@amijustparanoidorjuststoned

Hi OP - a close family member is a vet so I will pass on their advice.

If the dog is already reactive, unfortunately neutering will probably make it worse. Can I just ask - do you mean aggressive reactive or just "I have to sniff everything in sight" reactive?

There are loads of health benefits to neutering but unfortunately it can make reactivity and behaviuoral problems worse Sad

Was your family member clear this was a bitch not a dog we’re talking about? Agree that castration can definitely worsen fear aggression and hyperreactivity in males, but spaying a female not so much, in fact removing the rollercoaster of hormones that come with each season will definitely be beneficial behaviour wise I would say (also a vet), as well as huge clear physical health benefits (decrease risk of cancers, pyometra etc). It’s a no-brainer to spay all females to be honest, aside from any breeding purposes, and even then after last litter.

OP definitely discuss with your own vet and behaviourist if possible. Lowest risk timing is 2-3 months post season, but many vets have waiting lists for routine electives at the moment due to severe staffing shortages and increased demand across the whole industry, so you might not be able to get her in straight away.

Amicompletelyinsane · 17/01/2022 10:22

You really need to discuss this with a fully qualified behaviourist first. Neutering can b make things worse. Get some really advice and then discuss with the vet. Also if you do go ahead the vet may be able to give you some drugs for her to take prior to going in to calm her down before going to the vet to take the day easier

LemonViolet · 17/01/2022 10:23

Btw I wouldn’t guarantee spaying would IMPROVE behaviour btw, unless you do notice distinct variations post season for example. But it shouldn’t worsen it and is definitely beneficial overall health wise.

Mylittlepotofjoy · 17/01/2022 10:24

Good idea to get her spayed however it’s unlikely to cure her fear aggression unfortunately.

GirlInACountrySong · 17/01/2022 10:33

our labrador male has reduced pulling on the lead to sniff and track...he is definitely better to walk. still a bit reactive/same as before when other dogs are near but it was worth it for us

2DogsOnMySofa · 17/01/2022 10:53

It does absolutely help, but it won't change overnight. It takes around 12 to 18 months for all the testosterone to disappear from your dogs body. It's a very gradual change. I had my dog done, and it was only after my groomer said that he was calmer after not seeing him for about 12 months, that it dawned on me that his behaviour was improved

Hoppinggreen · 17/01/2022 10:55

@2DogsOnMySofa

It does absolutely help, but it won't change overnight. It takes around 12 to 18 months for all the testosterone to disappear from your dogs body. It's a very gradual change. I had my dog done, and it was only after my groomer said that he was calmer after not seeing him for about 12 months, that it dawned on me that his behaviour was improved
This dog is female though I think the confusion is because OP said neuter when that’s not generally used for Bitches
GirlInACountrySong · 17/01/2022 10:57

really? takes that long for the hormones to go?

the first change ...sniffing on walks, changed immediately.

just need to get him to stop barking at other dogs now, not sure if its fear or what's he sometimes wants to meet the smaller ones but doesn't like bigger/same size dogs

Palmtree9 · 17/01/2022 10:58

It helped our male dog be less reactive to other male dogs who were 'whole'.
The procedure also calmed our second male dog a few years later, and improved his concentration in training

Pesimistic · 17/01/2022 11:06

Didn't work with my dog, she 12 now and still like a puppy

MintyGreenDream · 17/01/2022 11:08

It calmed my chihuahua down who was "marking" in the house.Hes still a bit of a twat but i waited until he was 4 to get it done so maybe thats why.

Offmyfence · 17/01/2022 12:02

Following

FooFighter99 · 17/01/2022 12:07

How old is she OP? We have a 12 month old female Rottweiler and she won't be getting spayed until she's 2 years old. Early neutering/spaying can increase their likelihood of getting cancer when they're older

Our last Rottweiler (male) died of Osteosarcoma which we think is because we had him neutered too early (we were inexperienced and he was very dominant, so it seemed the right thing to do at the time)

What type of training are you doing?