Chemical castration side effects?

[Worried1233]

My 2yo male Labrador was chemically castrated at the vets a couple of weeks ago for humping issues. He was a little bit funny with other people (adults / children) in our house before (barking, generally not feeling at ease with other children in the house), but, since the chemical castration, he’s been even more grumpy both with new people / people he knows really well in our house / other peoples houses where he has been countless times.

For instance, he’s growling at children if they get too close to him / touch him in the house and will just watch them. As soon as we noticed this behaviour, DH and I would reprimand our dog (tell him “no! Gentle childs name). We would remove him from the room and then, when calm, ask the child to give our boy the sit command and throw him a treat.

I have two DC (between ages 7-10) and he has never displayed any aggression towards them. We have had him since a puppy.

My dog did have a bad experience with another dog when he was younger (he was attacked quite badly) so I saw a behavioural therapist who said he has anxiety. The therapist said it’s better to chemically castrate rather than go straight for the full op so we can see how he gets on, but does it sound like the chemical castration is making my boy grumpy due to
the initial peak in testosterone? Or is there likely a deeper issue?

I will speak to the vet but I want to stop this behaviour now before it spirals. Any ideas?

Hi @shopsalot thought I’d just update you again - my boy is definitely so much calmer since the CC. He was out with his Labrador friends earlier, which include intact males (he’s been friends with them since puppyhood) and he was so good, he always has had good recall and he just his lovely calm self, which is a massive relief! I think the testosterone levels have dropped as we have had zero issues like those he had when I first posted. We are now 7 weeks post CC and I’m so glad we seem to have turned a corner with him. It was touch and go to begin with but he’s definitely so much calmer. He’s not even pulling on the lead anymore 😂 he also has no more humping issues either.

I have had strangers in the house, deliveries etc and after a little bark and a sniff, he will now just lay down and go to sleep! This would never have happened before - we actually had someone think he was a Rottweiler as he would go mental when someone was at the door.

For me, it was the best decision and I will see
how he goes when the CC wears off as I think a full castration may be the best option for us.

best of luck with your boy and hoping it works out as well as it did for us x

Also, the marking has stopped - he literally just goes for wees only now 😂

I didn’t really realise about the marking until my friends Labrador I was with earlier was peeing on every single blade of grass in the field!

Hi @Worried1233 thanks for the update - really pleased that you're happy with your decision, a huge relief for you.
I'm undecided still (only been 2 years of indecision!) - like I say the main reason is the aggression from a few other dogs, which I assume is down to my dog being intact. They could just be aggressive dogs though.
It also makes leaving him to go on holiday a challenge...Every time I think I've made a decision, I find something that changes my mind.

Hi @shopsalot im in exactly the same position as you were - re only considering chemical castration as a hope it will stop some other male dog’s aggressive behaviour towards him. I darent let him off the lead at the beach anymore which is sad. Did you ever decide?

Hi @CalamityBear no I still haven't made the decision. 99% of the time everything is ok - he either ignores or gets on fine with other dogs and isn't that bothered by dogs on heat. But occasionally something will happen - a male dog will be aggressive or (rarely) my dog will ignore recall and run after another dog because of its scent. It's scary when it happens which is why I then consider the implant.
Other dog walkers I've spoken to have generally been positive about the implant.
I suppose there could be other reasons why dogs are aggressive towards your dog. The implant still removes the hormones just on a temporary basis. Is your dog at the right age for neutering? Is he a nervous dog? Vets advise not to do it if they are nervous. Also I found that when my dog was a teen / young adolescent he got a little more aggression from other dogs so I wonder if that was just his age and being put in his place.
Sorry I can't be helpful! Maybe talk to or walk with a behaviourist and see what they think on the behaviours before going to the implant?

Thanks for your reply @shopsalot Bear is 12 which is why I’m reluctant to put him through an op. He’s not a nervous dog so think I’m just going to try the chemical thing. As you say it’s that occasional aggression from other males that makes me nervous about letting him off the lead. Best of luck with your own dilemma

Hi there

I came across this post with my frantic googling after having my 2.5yr old lab chemical castrated.
He has a few mild anxious behaviours but a major pest with the bitches. To the point dog walkers get a bit irritated by him. He is lovely, likes his space at night and will let us know, but generally good as gold with other dogs says hello and moves on.
I was advised to try the CC and oh my god we are in week one and I feel like I’ve got a different dog who is now resource guarding, anxious and just generally being quite strange, shedding loads! The humping has completely stopped but now I’m worried about what we have in return. I have two kids so this is not ideal. I am speaking to a behavioural therapist but hoping that it doesn’t escalate. I feel so worried for everyone involved. I hate that I feel I’ve put the kids and dog at risk. I’m hoping it’s just the rise in testosterone and will pass asap.. if not I’m guessing I just have to work on getting through the next 6 months.

Its very early days. My dog became quite reactive in the first 4-8 weeks i worked through it with my trainer/behaviourist. It resolved and he ended up getting another 6 month cc then fully castrated. Its a hormone surge at this stage. Try not to panic.

Sorry to sound precious but do be careful doing this:

"For instance, he’s growling at children if they get too close to him / touch him in the house and will just watch them. As soon as we noticed this behaviour, DH and I would reprimand our dog (tell him “no! Gentle childs name)."

You are taking communication away from your dog, telling him that growling is wrong. Next time he won't growl first, he will just react and that is how bites happen. Learn to understand his communication (the growls, body posture and facial expressions). He is communicating. Respect what he is saying. A growl isn't necessarily bad, It is communication. He is saying "please don't approach me". Don't tell him off for that.

Another person here who came across this thread after a frantic google!

3 weeks post chemical castration and our sweet boy is really going through it. Growling/snarling at other dogs and an anxious mess on his walks. We have put in 2 years of positive reinforcement and work with a proper behaviourist and he was in a great place (aside the sexual behaviours) and all professionals agreed CC was okay to try.

Feeling some relief after reading your replies here. Have been truly heartbroken that my sweet little lad is struggling and not being the sweet boy we know

I was about to say exactly the same about that growling. I've always been told you should never tell a dog off for growling as this is a warning sign and the most dangerous dog is one that doesn't give a warning growl and goes straight to biting. I've been very clear in teaching our children to respect a growl and back off, even if it's a play growl in a game of tug and war for this reason. The dog needs to feel heard.

I felt the same, the first 6 - 8 weeks were tough, I sat and cried whilst stroking my boy apologising for what I was putting him through as he seemed so confused with life but he has settled now and we are 4 months in and I think I will go ahead with having him surgically castrated but want to do it before the 6 months is up so he doesn't have to go through the rollercoaster of hormones waxing and waning again.