Calming male dog down after female in heat?

[DontDrinkDontSmokeWhatDoIDo]

I'm after some advice please.

We have a 4 year old entire male that we walk on fields locally.

Over the last few months, there have been 3 occasions when we've come across females in heat (which is another thread in itself ).

Not only does this drive him bonkers at the time, but it results in 2, 3, 4 days of unsettled behaviour at home, in particular crying and clingy when he's normally super chilled.

For background, we are completely on the fence as to getting him neutered. He's a lovely dog with a lovely temperament and we've been reluctant to mess with that. We don't know if this is then right decision or not.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to help him calm down?

The only thing that stopped it for us was getting him neutered, I'm afraid.

Get him neutered.

If this is happening a lot, which it did to us as we live in the suburbs, surrounded by bitches, then neutering may be the answer , if only because your dog will be getting stressed at it all.

But I am like you, on the fence about neutering. We did, but I am not sure I would next time as I am struggling to understand why a male dog does not need the hormones but a male human does. Like yours, my boy was , and remains pretty chilled other than the sex drive.

I’d be getting him neutered anyway once he’s mature. I see it that you can’t get cancer in something that’s not there.

Are the in heat bitches not as entitled to be there as your entire dog? I don't see the difference.

Have him neutered, if you have no intention of breeding from him- it will make you both more comfortable in the long run (obviously or the short for the poor guy though!).

Erm, of course you should get him neutered!

I think that the reason dogs don't "need" testosterone in the way that human males do is because human males are able and free to regulate their own sexual behaviour. If a man wants to seek sex every day, he can.

An intact male dog will be aware of any bitch in heat within a mile or two. He'll have an urgent impulse to get to that female, and dogs are often injured or hit by cars in the attempt. If he encounters another intact male in the same state of arousal, they may fight. And the shit thing for him is that he doesn't understand what's happening to him or why he feels that way.

By not neutering him, not only do you increase his cancer risk, but you condemn him to a life of sexual frustration that peaks any time a bitch nearby is in heat.

@ginoclocksomewhere - well in my opinion - it's not responsible to walk a female in season in a popular area at busy times - so no, I don't think those owners are being very responsible. They are likely to end up with unwanted puppies.

My dog is entire, but i walk with a very wel trained neutered retriever who still goes bonkers andwould follow the scent back to the female's house if he could.

Thank you for other responses.

I am worried about neutering changing his temperament, and worrying about him still having this response even after.

I will speak to the vet again.

It's true that neutered males can still react (and even penetrate) a female in heat. But the response is generally much less frantic and easier to re-direct.

By not neutering him, not only do you increase his cancer risk

Risks for some cancers go down. Risks for others go up. It's a mixed bag.

I use Beaphar calming spot on for dogs. It's herbal (valerian extract) and it really helps mine to calm down.

I am worried about neutering changing his temperament, and worrying about him still having this response even after.

He may still have that response, but it won't be anywhere NEAR as extreme, and you reduce the risk of numerous health issues too.

I know male neutering is still quite controversial and many people believe it's unnecessary, but for me, the benefits FAR outweighed the potential risks.

@KurtWilde

I use Beaphar calming spot on for dogs. It's herbal (valerian extract) and it really helps mine to calm down.

Ah, I actually have some of that, I think we may have been given it for fireworks night and didn't need it - thank you.

And thanks for all the comments, I really appreciate them.

well in my opinion - it's not responsible to walk a female in season in a popular area at busy times
As the owner of an intact bitch, I would agree. It's not fair on either the bitch or on intact males. You walk early, you walk in out-of-the-way places, you get permission to walk on private land. You can never guarantee you won't meet an intact male, but you do your best to balance your bitch's need for exercise with being a reasonable dog owner.