Those of you who have neutered male dogs.

[Doglikeahorse]

Can I ask a couple of questions please

What age did you neuter?
Did you notice any changes in behaviour? If so what?
If you had any behavioural issues did they improve?
Would you do it again?

Thanks!

I neutered about 9 months. I live near a very busy park and he was going crazy every time a bitch in heat was within his scent radius (howling at the door for hours, not eating) and also being a little territorial and possessive at his day care. It did solve those issues but he definitely lost a bit of confidence too, otherwise no big changes. I'd do it again but might wait longer. Most daycares here insist on it by one anyway which must be a challenge for larger breeds.

We got the implant a few months ago. Maybe check different vets as ours wasn't that expensive (but we do have a spaniel so a smaller breed than you).

He had no undesirable behaviours beforehand. His balls have shrunk in size now and he wees a lot less on walks (like noticeably less, about a tenth of the time!). I would also say he's slightly less bold than before (a cat jumped out a bush and hissed at him and he tried to run away which is really not like him!).

We are watching his weight and no changes yet but he is a mad spaniel. I would also say he's sniffing other dogs less and that's about it. Not sure if we will go to full neutering once the implant wears off but we got the 12 month one so have time to decide.

We had our rescue lab x pointer done at 15 months.

He's almost 2 now and we've noticed that he's calmer with other dogs (still friendly & playful but more able to take the hint if his interest isn't reciprocated) and his recall is really reliable now.

At home, he's more affectionate, snugglier and easier to manage now that he's not so randy in the mornings!

I was really torn about doing it and it really upset me to think it might change his temperament as we loved him just the way he was, but now I'm glad we did as he and we are happier for it.

I nurtured my first dog at 8 months because it was what you did back then. Hated what it did to him, never done it to another dog. Depends on the breed I guess- I have dogs that are notorious for being outgoing and friendly-but I’ve never come across a behaviour that can’t be trained out rather than improved by removing hormones.
I think when a lot of people talk about improvements they are conflating general maturing of the dog with the neutering.