Spay/Neuter... Later??

[lv4dogs]

Sue - Kaige isn't neutered right? Have you had problems with him marking?

In general aren't larger dogs supposed to start marking around 12-18 months? I hope to neuter Buck around then, but I have to avoid marking because I'm getting ready to plant two gardens in my backyard!

You are correct, Kaige is still in-tact. He has not had one single behavioral issue associated with being in-tact, as of yet. ~~knocks on wood~~

He does not mark at all. He will stop ALL the time to smell where other dogs go but hasn't once pee'd where they pee or the like. He has also never lifted his leg yet either. And he's 9 months old, well in a few days he will be anyways.


I have always heard that males start marking when they hit puberty, no matter what breed or size, which is usually between 4-9 months or so. Like you said though, it's generally speaking. I'll have to do some further re-search on it & see what I find.

In my personal experience I usually see male dogs starting to mark around 6-12 months of age.
I also personally think that a lot of it has to do with what the dogs overall behavior is like, what they are exposed to & how they are trained. Like for ex. a more laid back, friendly dog tends to mark later on in life if at all, one who is laid back BUT is exposed to other dogs marking may pick up on the habit a little sooner. A more aggressive dog or one who has to compete over food, shelter, attention, toys etc... usually starts to mark earlier, even if they are lower ranking in the pack. Some shy/reserved dogs may start marking earlier & some may start later, it really depends on why they are shy to begin with. Like with Raustyk (yes she's a girl but she marks like crazy) is shy because she was abused, she was already lifting her leg & marking when I first got her at 6 months of age. My friends dog who is shy because he just isn't socialized that often (a 4 year old in tact male ) and he hasn't marked a day in his life & has also never lifted his leg.

[Suki Wingy]

Hmmm, I have always been a fan of really early neuters and spays before the first heat, but that article does make sence. I was thinking that was you would stop the the dog from maturing sexually. Dog knows we don't need any more pet dogs in this world, so I'm still for early alterings from shelters. Now that I've seen both sides though, I'd say that if you are RESPONSIBLE you should do it whenever you want to have it done. I can see why it would be really better to wait for a while for the working dog.

[Jessika]

Yeah you know it kind of makes you re-think everything!

[.sarah]

Thanks for the info Sue. I'll just have to watch his behavior and snip him when I think marking may start soon. Hopefully he will make it to a year, that is the age I'd really like to neuter him at. *crosses fingers*

[KYS]

Females:
Spaying before the 1st heat reduces the chance to zero of developing mammary cancer.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...&S=0&C=0&A=584

males:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...&S=0&C=0&A=574

My personal preference is to spay a female dog before their 1st heat.
(spay 6-7 months of age)

No opinion on males accept to make sure they do not in pregnant
other dogs or if a behavior problem neuter before all the
harmons kick in.

[Scooby4]

Yes, fixing your animal BEFORE it's first heat may reduce the chances of getting many different types of diseases. However, those diseases may be treatable in the short term. Fixing the animal later falls more into the "long term" care of an animal.
Fixing an animal later, allows them to experience some "sexual maturity". The horomone changes and bodily characteristics that come from this "change" are more important in my eyes. It allows the animal to mature properly and get rid of some of their "bad habits".
For example: What if you were "fixed" at age 13. A woman who never got a period or a boy who never got "stimulated" (Sorry folks ). Would your maturity level change who you are today? A woman never developing breasts and boy's voices NOT change?
That essentially is what is happening to our animals when we don't allow them to formally go through "Puberty". They may never get "breast cancer" but are they ever going to mature, calm, cool and collective? What would you rather have?
Ps. All my animals are fixed. One too early, the dogs just right, and the ferret already done. The one too early still has issues to this day 15 years later.

[KYS]

I have never had a female
dog with behavior issues for spaying before the 1st heat and
neither has anybody else I know that can tie it in
to spaying. (the old protocol use to be wait till after the 1st heat)

So I will stick with the opinions of the most current protocol on vet studies on spaying until I hear different.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

A lot of things effect the growth process, the sex hormones are only a small part. I'd rather neuter my dog and cats young to prevent both behavioral problems, medical problems when they're older, and the possibility of unwanted puppies (there is always a possibility with an unaltered pet, even when the owner is being as careful as can be).

Fixing an animal later, allows them to experience some "sexual maturity". The horomone changes and bodily characteristics that come from this "change" are more important in my eyes. It allows the animal to mature properly and get rid of some of their "bad habits".

I've seen the exact opposite with my animals. All of mine were spayed or neutered early with the exception of Charlie. (I got him neutered 4 days after I got him though.)

Charlie is a major marker. I can't take him anywhere because he marks on everything. It took awhile for me to be able to trust him in the house. I kept him tied to me or crated until I could trust him. We've never had any problems with any of the others.

Charlie can also be a bit nippy. I have to muzzle him to clip his toenails. He was a lot worse when we got him though, now he's not too bad. All the others are fine, they've never nipped at anyone.



My cats have all been spayed/neutered young too. I've had no problems with any of them. As for the sagging females I think it has to do with more the cats genetic make-up. Raisin is saggy, but she is a maine coon mix, she's a big cat by nature. Sundae on the other hand is a petite cat and she doesn't sag, she's just a small girl. As for my boys, Oliver is 12 lbs and looks perfect, he's a pretty average sized cat. Kit is a very lean, slick cat. Jimmy is my monster of a boy, he's a 17 lb. orange tabby. He's not overweight by any means, he's just a naturally large cat and he too sags.