Want to hear of people's experiences of the above( for their dogs!). I have a very anxious rescue dog of 18 months not castrated. I have appt at vets next week to discuss this. Our dog is very anxious still growls at members of household( although this is getting less), growls at kids in the park, people or dogs that get too close, is not demonstrative of affection but will let you rub his chest occasionally. We were advised by previous vet to not castrate till 18- 24 months, behaviourist said he would not do it at all, every dog walker I have met said I should do it as my dog will become a 'target' for uncastrated juveniles which will make his fears worse. My dog has no overtly serial behaviour- never humps at home nor does he display any sort of serial behaviour. Outside if there is a bitch on heat or she smells good he will go for it but I wouldn't say he's a nuisance. All the dogs he likes to play with are females & occasionally q castrated male. Dogs like him he will ruck with but fortunately not that many about. In short, should I get him 'done'. My old vet said if he was done too soon he would be a basket case for the rest of his life! The health benefits of castration seem minimal from what I have read & I'd rather he have a shorter life as a confident as he can be dog than a longer life fraught with fear & anxiety.