NEUTER DISCUSSION!!!!!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

Hey guys! i have a question.. i have a 6 month old goldendoodle puppy.. i have posted before about his mouthing issues and nipping my husband and i. my husband wanted to wait to neuter him until about 1 year old.. because he heard it can stunt his growth and the size of his head. but this mouthing thing is driving us crazy! does neutering a puppy calm them down a little? is that really true? what was your personal experiance? thanks xoxo

[Patti Livanos]

I do know people who have had neutering make a difference in their dogs' behavior, but it made no difference with any of my male dogs--a westie, lab and goldendoodle.  My doodle was a very easy puppy, and the easiest to train of them all!  My lab is an English lab, with the big blocky head.  He was neutered at 9 months so that he had a chance to fully mature and get that big blocky head.  We did not need to wait any longer than 9 months for that.  My doodle was neutered at 6 months, and does have a beautiful teddy bear face/head.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I haven't ever noticed a difference in behavior from neutering. Magic does NOT happen and "poof" you have a calm mature dog.  Dogs do outgrow some of their mouthiness but mostly it is training. The last couple of puppy weeks with their mothers really, really helps this because the moms curb the behavior. That is one major reason it is important for the pups to stay with their litter/moms until at least 8 weeks. I have no idea if you got your doodle younger or not, but if so it might explain some of the problem. 

Various suggestions I have read for when he nips, mouths you: 

Yell like you were hurt;

Immediately and calmly tell the dog "NO" and put him in a short time out in his crate or where ever is appropriate;

Immediately turn your back on the dog and leave the room and ignore him for a time.

Try NOT to get him overly excited because the mouthiness goes with excitement.

Our Springer Spaniel is mouthy.  He is almost nine.  As a pup it was a lot.  Now it is more like he accidentally 'gets' you with his open slobbery mouth when he is excited.  He has anxiety and when we come back into the house, he gets so excited he jumps around, whines and generally carries on.  It is still not fun, so I feel your pain.

[Tammie Miller]

I dont believe in sending a dog to his crate as punishment. This place should be a sanctuary to him or her. A calm place to relax. I have had sucess with this problem in the past by grabbing the dogs mouth firmly and closing it and saying no with eye contact. Good luck

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't believe in using a crate as punishment either.  I do think when a dog is overexcited and displaying unwanted behaviors, the create is a perfect place for them to go to calm down. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would ask your vet's advice on the neutering question.  We neutered Murphy at 5 mos at my Vet's recommendation.  He was beginning to show some dominant tendencies and she felt that lowering the testosterone levels might be a help.  He still has these behaviors, but they might be worse if he were not neutered.  I can say pretty definitively though that neutering will not "cure" his mouthing issues.  That requires training and some maturity.