Neutering young vs Older

[Karol J.]

I posted this question in Puppy Madness, but I wanted to hear from some older doodle owners.

Hershey is 14 wks old and has been displaying some "boyish behavior" on everything, sofa pillows, my daughter, my arm, my exercise ball pretty much anything. His trainer suggested that we have him neutered quickly before it gets worse. I spoke with his vet and he said that he likes to do it after 6 months but he didn't see any harm in it being done sooner, if that's what we chose.

I've checked out many discussion online about it, and I'm no closer to making a decision.

Those of you who have adult doodles who were neutered before they were 6 months, do you have any thoughts on the subject?

Thanks! :-D

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you have read the discussions and the clicked on the reference pages people have put on, then you know that there are so many views that you might as well do what you think is right. I will give you my opinion and personal information. We have three male dogs who were neutered by three months of age with no "bad" effects. My daughter-in-law decided not to neuter her Whippet and at age 3 he started marking and becoming more aggressive. She finally "saw the light" and had him neutered at age 4 and he quit marking. Whooopeeeeee!

[Adina P]

Rosco was neutered at 4.5 months and at that time he enjoyed humping just about every single dog at the dog park anyway for another month or so. With time his humping habit wore off. He didn't lift his leg to mark until about 10 months but that didn't become common until after a year. He now marks lots out in parks, on walks...but in the house or in our yard (though he'll pee over where one of our other dogs pees sometimes). And as for humping he only humps our other doodle Thule -- she doesn't usually mind and he does it daily with certain times at night being prime humping times where he does it A LOT. He's never humped ANY inanimate object. However, Thule has humped a giant stuffed toy and she's a spayed female.

[Adina P]

I meant to say 'but NOT in the house..."

[Karol J.]

Thank you for your responses.

[Holly St Pierre]

We had Gunner neutered @ 4 months & it has had no bad effects, only good. He doesn't hump, really never has so far & he doesn't lift his leg at this point. I agree that every person has their own opinion, so you have to do what you think is right. I would recommend it based on my experience (Gunner is almost a year old).

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Our vet says the earliest 6 months. We decided to wait. There was link to some research here on DK which we printed and took to our vet. We made our choice from a few different articles and studies in addition to personal choices with this individual dog. The research leaned to waiting for overall bone growth development and less hip dysplasia. One article said 14 months ( No Way we will wait that long ) Spud had some eating issues and small growth. We actually canceled the 6 month appointment we made. Spud is now 7.5 months.

So that being said---UGH. SCREAM LOL OMG he has become................ well I don't know how to describe it. He is very tolerable at home, but to take him out to a dog park or in public is no longer as enjoyable. Just ask the nice man who's leg he peed on as soon as he entered the park on Sunday. Or all the dogs he decided to hump or pick a fight with.

I am glad we waited, although we may have waited a little too long. He will be neutered in August at 8 months.

I agree with the rest of the posts here, do what you think is best for your dog.

[Lorraine Bromley]

My Neely was nuetered earlier that 6 mths what he is now. I had no problem with it at all. It wasn't something we had planned on from the start. Our vet suggested it as Neely was a large size and healthy. We opted for the more expensive nueter as well. This included blood work etc.IIt was also less expensive if done prior to a certain weight. If you are gettin them done earlier I suggest that as it was much better recovery time. He was about 4 months. He still humps when he is excited and loves fleece things so he humps them. It really in my mind is not dominant behaviour it is dog behaviour. I find he is less apt to do it if he is not bored and looking to for some activity. He still does not lift his leg to pee and I like that as well. He never really learned to mark his territory which means he doesn't stop every post tree or leaf to pee on it during a walk. My older female seems to hold pee no matter how long the trip just for this purpose. So marking could also be in a dogs personality as well as gender. My friends mutt isn't fixed at over 2 (irresponsible) and he is no issues other than being aggressive with his things and not sharing.

[GBK]

Both dogs, 6 months, no problems. As Nancy said, lot's of different opinions and theories, check the pros and cons of early nueter and make your decision. Kona the girl humps Buddy. Buddy tries to hump Kona (taught her the lay down trick) and I notice any dog between the ages of 8 months and two years, especially golden retrievers ?!?!? He is non agressive, so if the dog tells him to get off, he won't try it again, but if they won't I have to step in and keep an eye on him. This does not happen often. He does not mark in the house, but does like to mark trees etc. on walks.

[Stella]

Both of ours were neutered at five months with no problems. My older one (18 months) does mark, he began at 14 months, but only outside. My puppy (7 months) still squats to pee so far, but I'm sure he'll copy the other dog eventually!!

[Karol J.]

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Hershey has an appointment at the vet on Monday. Because he is under 6 months, the Vet will have to check him out first, if he feels he's ready, he will be neutered on Monday. I'm praying that he's "ready".

[Laura & Chewie]

Let us know what happens...we will be looking into it for Chewie as well....Best of luck!

[GBK]

Good Luck to you and Hershey Karol! You will need it the most trying to keep him quiet......