To neuter or not to neuter

[Niber]

Have just read a thread which says that neutering can INCREASE human / dog aggression. Is this true?

I've been considering neutering Niber but my preference is not to. I'm not interested in breeding, and I think my preference not to is because I like the idea of him being 'natural.'

I liked the idea of a husky as they are close to the natural ancestors of dogs, I chose to feed him a raw diet, with meat in as natural state as possible and so I like the thought of him being complete.

However he is starting to show aggression to other dogs, especially submissive or aggressive dogs, though he can play well with the dogs who have a playful nature. He pees on everything when out. They are the only things that I thought neutering would fix.

Any thoughts?

Also any advice on stopping the aggression? He never fights as such but his heckles are up, growls and pulls on the lead, probably 1 in 4 times. I always stop him pulling, hold him close,give the same command - 'on by' and reward him if he behaves well when meeting others. Really don't want him to be aggressive.

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

My male was VERY growly towards us so we got him neutered now he's so soft and cuddly :-) he's a much nicer dog now

Oh also hackles up can be a sign ov excitement too as can growling as they are very vocal

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[Niber]

yeah he used to growl and play but just the last few weeks he seems to want to chase them rather than play with them. Can't be sure though as he's never off lead. I wonder if it's the lead thats the problem. If a dog shows aggression and he is on a lead, 'flight' is not an option so he has to resort to 'fight.'

[Emma]

That sounds like ice. He gets very excited until he's up close then gets all stiff and watchful. He's a mimic, if he's growled at he retaliates, if not he's usually fine unless a dog gets up behind him and pesters too much, he'll have a grump then too. That said, we went to a dog park husky meet recently and at first he was growly and wary and even had a slight scrap (a lot of noise but no damage) after he'd calmed down a bit he was fine and went offlead happily, no problems or growls at all. So maybe it is a combination of overexcitement and frustration. Early neutering helps with sexual based aggression but won't do much for other types, so I've heard.

[Devildust76]

Funnily enough we spoke to our vet today about getting Kodi neutered when he's old enough. They said it's best to wait until he's about 15-16 months old and because of his size and the possible risk of bone cancer in Mals we should seriously consider it as neutering would stop the hormones raging. It's something we both wanted done anyway but we've never heard about it causing aggression. We've been told that if the dog is aggressive then neutering may not solve the problem but all dogs are different and react to it in different ways.

[Emma]

Yeah, that's pretty much what the behaviourist said to us. Neutering just kicks out the testosterone levels, so any aggression due to fear/poor socialisation/food aggression will still be there as it's psychological not hormonal based.

[Povodny]

Both my boys are intact. Togo is more likely to get shirty with other dogs but its more bluster than anything. Loki is totally relaxed no matter what so it really depends on the individual dog. At the end of the day it's your dog, your choice

[LittleLuka]

I would definitely not say neutering increases aggression. Luka LOVES people (put the emphasis on loves haha) and just wants to be petted And loved on. He also has no issues with other dogs.

Ultimately the choice is yours and I by no means thinks you'd be wrong either way. I liked the idea of not worrying about Luka trying to escape to find females exp. because I found my second dog due to someone being irresponsible which resulted in a box of dumped puppies at a local gas station.

I think every dog differs based on their personality and traits.

[Niber]

Didn't think about the roaming bit. If he is in his run he is leashed too if we're away from home as he has escaped before, but then sits at the back door. If we were not in he could wander. The leash is long enough to let him roam his entire run with nothing to tangle around, but if he did escape he would only get a couple of metres or so before the leash done it's job. That's only once or twice a month when he can't come with us. So I don't THINK roaming would be an issue, but as we live alongside a railway line and a main road, it would be a concern if he did start trying to. I'm sure there are no dogs in the neighbouring houses so hopefully he wouldn't pick up scents etc.

Is there an age where it's too late / not advisable to neuter?

[basketcase687]

We had Lycan neutered at 8 months.Our vet advised anytime from 6 months.As already said,it won't necessarily alter their temperament ,but MAY help.If the aggression is testosterone driven,it will help ,but if it's fear driven,then no,it won't .In terms of health benefits,it stops the risk of testicular cancer,(just as spaying reduces the risk of mammary cancer or womb infections in bitches.)

We were told that neutering alters their hormone levels,which means they will be more likely to gain weight,and you need to reduce their food by about 40%. In Lycans case,I would say this is true,he gets loads of off lead exercise,but he did gain weight initially,and now I keep him on a combination of puppy food and low fat food((kibble). I see no difference in his behaviour towards other dogs since neutering,(he is nervous aggressive), but perhaps he would have been worse if he hadn't been neutered,(so difficult to know for sure).As already said,they are all individuals,you will need to weigh it all up and decide what you think is the best for him.

Edited January 6, 2013 by basketcase687

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

no way does it increase agression. or it didnt in.storm. no agression in him at all. he was done at 9 mths.

[Keeonah]

I have always been told that if you want to calm your dog down then have them nuetered or speyed. My Daughters Mal x, Mia, was a nightmare as she had spent a lot of time as a pup on her own until my daughter got her. For Mia it worked a treat. She calmed down no end and is now a far better dog. It doesn't, however, work for all dogs, as has been said by others. It would be your choice and one that you would need to consider very carefully. I shall be in the same situation soon as my eldest girls need to be speyed. Do I or don't I? They both have fantastic temperaments and I don't want to change either of them. Oh dear, decisions decisions. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Gary.

[jelharou]

You could try chemical castration, which is temporary, to see if there are any significant changes. But it can take over a month to take full effect.

[Niber]

You could try chemical castration, which is temporary, to see if there are any significant changes. But it can take over a month to take full effect.

May try that. Guess I should stop byt the vet and discuss all the options. He is 1 year old in a couple of weeks so due a check up anyway