delaying neutering

[timeforabrewnow]

Hi all doggie experts - took our 11 month old male dog to the vets today on a pre-op visit and thought he would go next week for neutering.

He's lively and fun, but still a little shy around new humans.

The vet recommended we wait a while before neutering him, 'so that he can become more confident'. Is this a thing?

Our other dog was done even earlier, and it stopped him bolting off into the blue when he could smell a bitch on heat.

What do you think?

oh - the other dog is very friendly with humans and dogs, so maybe it wasn't an issue.

Yes current research has shown it's better to wait to neuter nervous dogs or risk them becoming more nervous as you take away the testosterone.

I would still neuter but perhaps after some behavioural training and a bit more time to mature

If you feel the need to neuter, please wait till your boy is grown up. That is 18- 24 months old depending on breed.

My dogs (male & female) are all "intact" & live a happy live. I don't have unwanted puppies or problems with behaviour. I think the whole neuter business is overrated as illnesses can affect any dog at any time. Chopping bits off "just in case" is a bit drastic. So please think twice before you take your dogs personality away.

How refreshing to hear of a sensible vet!

If he continues to be reserved and not to be a problem with other dogs, why would you need to neuter him at all? People seem to think it's essential these days, and it most definitely is not. There are fors and againsts both, health-wise.

okay -thank you - interesting to hear some other points of view.

We have decided not to neuter our dog yet either. He is about 18 months old and we've never had any issues with him running off after females. In fact the only dog he has ever chased after and not wanted to come back was a neutered male. He is very friendly with other dogs and people but quite submissive especially on first meeting. So, we have decided not to bother neutering unless is becomes an issue later on.

How refreshing to hear of a sensible vet!

Yes, I said almost exactly the same to our vet (that we would wait and see with our anxious boy) and he was most disapproving.