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Original poster

just booked my (male) lab in to be neutered...reassure me it's the right thing

15 replies

hatwoman · 16/03/2009 14:20

I'm hoping this will attract those of you who have labs about the same age as A (coming up to a year) - I know there are a few of us. Hope they're all doing ok.

I've kept an open mind about neutering - I don't think it's something to do lightly - and, given that whipping their goolies off is pretty drastic, I do think there are some dogs where it's not necessary. but, alas, not A. he's lovely, but he's boisterous. he doesn't hump anything and everything but when he decides a dog's worth a go, he is somewhat persistent. he barks too much. he gets over-excited. I think the time has come for him to say goodbye to his bits. I feel terrible. It feels like mutilating him so that he fits better my model of how he should be...Anyone else going though/gone through the same decision-making process? any words of comfort to assuage my guilt?

OP posts:

Evenstar · 16/03/2009 15:42

I found it very hard to make the decison for my Golden Retriever, but it has made such a difference to him. He is almost 10 now, but when he was about the same age as your boy he kept getting out and running away. The vet felt sure he was looking for a bitch, and it did stop almost instantly. I would say now after experiencing him for 9 years compared to our unneutered dog I would never have another male dog and not have it castrated. Apparently they are less prone to certain cancers and incontinence in their old age as well. He will be sore after the op for a few days, and may try and cool the area for himself on damp grass or tiled floors, but mine had no other problems.

Owls · 16/03/2009 15:47

Sounds like you're doing exactly the right thing.

My Choc Lab (14 months) was castrated a month ago. Although I had no choice as he had an undescended testicle but still think we would have gone down that route anyway.

Are you sure there's no chance you'll want to breed from him in the future?

Original poster

hatwoman · 16/03/2009 15:47

thanks Evenstar. we had a cavalier when I was little that was never done - he was a bundle of sexual frustration, poor thing.

OP posts:

Original poster

hatwoman · 16/03/2009 15:50

owls - breeding from a dog (as opposed to a bitch) doesn;t hold any particular attraction for me.

OP posts:

georgimama · 16/03/2009 15:51

I had my male lab done at about 18 months, I feel it is absolutely the right thing to do to sterilise a dog that you don't intend to breed. Females are at risk of pyrometra (sp?) if not sterilised and male dogs have all sorts of hormones pumping that lead them into trouble.

Monty was fine after the first day. He was taken to vet early in the morning and the op performed pretty much straight away, we were told to leave him there all day to recover. By the time I picked him up he was fine.

We did consider whether to have "neutricals" implanted to save him the embarrassment of having no balls but decided DH was just projecting!

higgle · 16/03/2009 15:51

I'm afraid if you are looking for personality transformation it is a lobotomy your dog needs, not being neutered! I would never have a male dog neutered for anything other than sexual bad behaviour - I would try more training and a firm approach. Having said this there is no reason at all for you to feel guilty, he won't know what has happened and why. Being a dog is mostly about being what your owner wants you to be and we have to bend their wills through discipline and incentives - the "morality" of these is just as open to question as neutering - just a different method of securing our desires. So, go for it if it is what you want, but I don't think ( as a dog owner for 30 years) that it will necessarily deliver the changes you seek.

FattipuffsandThinnifers · 16/03/2009 15:56

If you're sure you don't want to breed from him, you are absolutely doing the right thing. He will be much happier - less aggressive, less territorial (eg less marking!), less likely to stray.

Also, you can be happy knowing your dog won't be responsible for producing any unwanted pups who end up being abandoned (or worse).

Hope it goes well, once the initial tenderness for him is over he'll never know the difference!

Rhubarb · 16/03/2009 15:57

Would they be willing to do adult men?

Rhubarb · 16/03/2009 15:57

Well, one adult man in particular.

Original poster

hatwoman · 16/03/2009 16:06

at the projecting dh.

OP posts:

magnolia74 · 16/03/2009 16:06

Definately the right thing. We had a lovely black lab years ago and neutering him calmed him down so much. We now have bitches only but but still had them spayed at a year

jmori · 16/03/2009 16:26

Living on the East Coast of the US, it is an almost odd question for us. Here, not neutering your dog would be the thing that is out of the ordinary. I think this is founded in the fact that there are so many unwanted dogs in the US it is horrifying to think you could add to that. I have a 10 year old Ridgeback and he was neutered at around 10 months. I think he barely noticed and was up and around the next day. Not sure that it changed his behavior much but there is really no downside to doing it and the benefits and potential benefits far out weigh any costs. I don't think nicking his nuts is going to solve the humping (dominance issue), barking or his other charming behaviors so you are still going to have to put in the time, but it may help in making him a little more amenable - or not. Either way, no chance at an unwanted litter of puppies is good enough reason.

LadyPinkofPinkerton · 16/03/2009 16:31

I work in a Vets and see owners going through this all the time. It really isn't a big op for male dogs. They recover very quickly.

Be prepared for him looking a bit sorry for himself when you collect hime, but don't worry he will get over it pretty quickly.

pigsinmud · 18/03/2009 17:46

I don't have a male dog, but am interested in why so many of you find it a hard decision.

I have a female puppy - result of male dog getting at a female dog whilst in garden. You might not be best pleased if you were the owner of said female dog! As for false balls - are you joking???

People don't think twice about having cats neutered ... well people I know anyway.

iggypiggy · 20/03/2009 11:51

Interesting topic - I have a male lab - he is not neutered. Am not against neutering - in fact I probably was going to have mine done - but I did lots of reading and I know my dog and he's fine how he is.

Neutering a male dog means they won't get testicular cancer (obviously cos they have no balls ) and I think it also reduces the risk of prostrate cancer. Spaying female dogs is different as there are more health benefits. BUT keeping a male dog entire also has health benefits (eg. bone health) - so you just have to weigh up the options and make your decision.

re: cats - is totally different - they roam free, no choice but to neuter as a responsible owner.

As a responsible dog owner i should just add - my dog isn't frustrated - he calmed down after he got to the age of 2 (just because he older) but he was never bad. He doesn't hump other dogs or mark around the house. he doesn't run off, isn't at all agressive and he is generally lovely. So I have no reason to neuter him.

But don't feel bad that you are - I think its a personal decision and you can argue each side. In the future I may get him done if i think i need to - and I might get future dogs done - just always got to look at each situation individually

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