Will neutering help?

[Finn77]

Hi all,

I have a seven year old male dog that in the last year has taken to lcking his 'bits' at bit too fondly. It seems to have become an obsession and is making him smell awful despite regular baths. He has recently taken to trying to mount other dogs both male and female. Otherwise he is a very mild mannered dog, briliant with the kids, never bites, does as he's told (most of the time).
Would neutering him at this late age help and what sort of cost is it?I don't want to put him through it if its not going to help. He's quite hard to train being a bit of an airhead too, as I had tried distraction methods, but he just is at it again when we are out of the room!
Looking forward to hear any opinions or anybody who has had a 7+ dog neutered.

It won't necessarily stop him mounting - by this age it can have become too much of a habit - but I would take him along to the vet as there must be a reason he is licking himself, and he really shouldn't smell, so there may be an underlying medical problem.

HTH

We had our rescue dog neutered at the age of 6 when we got him, but he wasn't exhibiting the problems you've described - we did it to make him less inclined to wander in search of bitches on heat, and to ensure he wouldn't father any illegitimate pups if he ever escaped. It hasn't altered his behaviour at all, as far as I can tell. Your dog shouldn't be licking his bits like that and I don't think that's a sexual issue - all dogs have a bit of a lick now and again, but he's probably in a vicious circle now in that he's made it sore by licking too much, so he licks because it's sore, etc etc. The smell could indicate a skin infection. I would take him to the vet sharpish - it may be he needs to wear a bucket collar for a few days to let the irritation settle and heal.

In terms of mounting, it depends why he's doing it - it could be sexual or it could be an attempt to assert dominance over other dogs. Neutering might help but isn't a guaranteed cure. The vet is your best bet for advice.

Thanks for the replies! I don't think he is sore there, just that he's got a bit OCD about his habit so to say. I bought some spray that is to discourage chewing and can also be used on wounds to prevent dogs licking and it seemed to work last night. I think I just need to be consistent with it and break the habit.

I am also going to get one of those kong toy things that you put treats into so that he is distracted whenever I am out of the house.

Thanks again for the replies.

I second lurcherlover's advice that the smell suggests an infection. He should really be checked out by a vet.