Neutering, and prong collars

[Pam]

I vote yes for both the neutering and the prong collar. Our instructor at obedience school was in favor of them for very large dogs that were hard to control. Although they do look like torture devices they pinch rather than choke. I saw some wonderful transformations in dogs at class before and after the prong and it didn't take long at all.

My Ripley had all of his *equipment* when I adopted him. I have no idea how old he was/is so don't know how much he used *it* before I got him. Long story short, there was absolutely no change in his personality and his little body is as svelte as always - no added weight.

[pitc9]

As far as when you should have him neutered, at 6 months of age.. so... NOW! When I rescued my male GSD, he was a year old and living in the woods. I had him neutered PRAYING that it was going to change him by calming him down and it didn't.
As far as weight, I've had him for 3 years and he's still underweight a little!
WELCOME to PT! I hope we get to see more pictures of you fur ball!
I can't wait to see him!!
Another member on the board her has an Akita, her name is Katie (the dog's name is Katie )

[areias]

Welcome! I have two Akita mixes. Both mine are neutered...and they're just as great as they can be.
Here's a thread from a couple weeks ago on prong collars.
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=92164

[.sarah]

Neutering is a very good idea if you aren't going to show him in conformation. It has many health benefits and it won't change your dog's temperment at all! I hear people saying the earlier the better but the more and more I research I see that large dogs should be altered around 18-24 months because this is when they finish growing. If you are going to wait that long make sure he is with you at all times, you don't need any children from him!

Prong collars are wonderful if they are used correctly. Not sure what you are doing when he bites but you should be doing a quick jerk on the leash and say "NO" in a firm voice.

[tz1]

Thanks for all of the helpful info. I think I will probably get him neutered now. He only bites when he gets extremely excited/ riled up, but he hasn't nibbled since I've put the prong collar on. It's really amazing the difference of control I have in him + it seems to hurt him less.

[wolfsoul]

Welcome! I agree with everyone else. Neutering is a great way to keep your dog healthy and happy. Akitas are definatly a breed that benefits from neutering, because it will discourage them to run away, it cuts hormones therefore helping to control dominance issues, it causes the dog to think with his head (and not other places ) therefore it's easier for him to make decisions when he's protecting your territory (will bark and warn strangers rather than attack everything and anything that wanders on to the property). It just makes a dog more pleasant in general. Just remember, the only thing that makes a dog fat and lazy is too much food and lack of exercise! A neutered dog won't bug you to go for walks as much, so owners sometimes make the mistake of cutting down on walks. Neutered dogs also need less calories than an unneutered dog, so make sure to give less food.

I use a prong collar on my Belgian, it works great. I only use it as a training tool and will continue to use it until she is better at heeling and not going into drive when another dog is running offleash. The prong has helped her improve IMMENSELY. She is always careful how she walks because she doesn't want to get pinched (whereas she never cared about being choked on the choke chain) and she is always careful to act calm when other dogs are running offleash or she will be corrected.

Welcome again, hope you like it here.

[Suki Wingy]

Niño is a very strong, dominant dog and I can't walk out of the house w/o the prong, but it comes off as soon as we're in. As for me I say if you are not going to show your dog and he's old enough to have his ears cropped, he better be neutered!