He has recently become very agitated and prone to running away, which is, seemingly, caused by bitches on heat in the surrounding area. We try to be responsible, but also don’t want to keep him locked up in the house 24/7.
We have lately had several complaints & threats (made against the dog) , so we want to help control his behaviour and prevent a spate of little Labradors around the countryside.
So, is the neutering of a 5 year-old lab a good idea? Will it help to solve the problem? Will it stop the incessant need to escape?
If neutered, will the dog become morose and lazy, and grow fat from lack of interest? Is it cruel to neuter him at this late point in his life, compared to having the procedure carried out when he was a puppy?
Yes, it is unnatural. But there are a of unwanted dogs as it is, and we don’t want to be seen to adding to the problem. And I’m sure letting the dog relieve his frustrations will not in any way cure his new behavioural problems. An un-neutered male can lead to a frustrated life, especially as he can obviously smell/sense bitches on heat. Surely it better to save him the agony.
What do you guys think? Is neutering a good idea? Will it help to alleviate the problems, or will it be the cause of other problems?
Neutering will NOT make your dog fat and lazy. It WILL stop his trying to get out to find a bitch in heat. It will guard him against testicular cancer and in general improve his behavior, once the testosterone has cleared his body.
It is a humane, responsible thing to do and your dog’s health, not to mention longevity, will benefit. If you don’t neuter him, you not only will keep him frustrated and always wanting to get out, but when he does escape, and he will, to get to a bitch in heat, he will risk death by car.
I’ve never heard of any side effects. People geld older horses as a matter of course wtih no problems. It is better to castrate earlier in life, as the animal won’t have a chance to learn certain behaviours, but there’s no medical reason I know of not to do it now. Your dog will probably retain some “un-neutered male dog” behaviours, but his behaviour will improve.
What Calliope said. We had our 4 year old Boxer neutered, because he was getting increasingly aggressive, disobedient and being a general niusance (not to us, but to neighbours).
I was initially apprehensive about the whole thing (“you’re taking away his manhood - or doghood!” is what I was saying!!), but there has been no change in his basic character since the operation. We’re all much happier, although I suspect he misses “it” sometime
2 1/2 years old
4 years old
10 years old (we got him at age 10 and it had just never been done).
There were no problems or complications with any of them. They didn’t even need stitches, all the vet told us was to keep them fairly quiet (no jumping around) for 10 days to let the incision heal. There were no negative behavior changes, and I didn’t get the impression that they missed the family jewels at all. It’s a small thing you can do that can prevent a lot of problems later.
I had my afghan hound neutered when he was 11 years old when he had a tumor on his testical. He recovered quickly and had no ill effects. At five your dog is still in the prime of life, routine surgery should cause no problems.
My SO’s two dogs were neutered later that n normal at about 4 and 5 years old (I told him I would not move in with him unless he neutered his dogs) and they aren’t fat or lazy. He will only get that way if you allow him to be lazy.
I had both my male dogs neutered this summer. Buck was 6 and Jake was a little over a year. We had planned to breed Buck but after he started having seizures, it was not recommended.
Both are just fine and dandy, although Buck did have a bit of trouble with swelling in his sack. I gave him an aspirin for the pain and encouraged him to lay on the tile. I offered him an ice bag to sit on but he was having no part of that.
They both had a few stitches but I removed those myself. (I figure I do it for humans so why not)
