Chemical Castration for Dogs

It didn't work on young golden retriever, so we went the whole hog. He still has tendencies, but much less so now and other dogs are far less attracted to him too.

unless you are a breeder then I see no point in keeping dogs "intact" there are health issues in not having the operation
also the risk of impregnating bitches which have (stupidly) not been neutered.
neutered animals generally live longer than those who have not had the operation

Sounds like you are all in favour of mutilating dogs for your own convenience.

Not at all David49. It was for his own safety with my dog (on a lead), because he had his ear ripped when another intact male spaniel flew at him from across the field because of his excessive pheromones.

It’s the responsible thing to do David. Far too many unwanted dogs in this world. Similarly with cats. All mine have been neutered/spayed.

I believe that Graeme Hall (Dogs Behaving Badly TV series) has written a book about training dogs which might cover the humping habit. Who knows, there could be a quite simple measure you could take without resorting to either surgery or an implant. At his age, your dog is probably still young enough to be taken in hand. It's a problem when you have more than one dog - they're pack animals and you have to take that into account when you start mixing & matching!

I agree with Ordinarygirl unless you are going to put your dog to stud there is little point in keeping him intact. Our JR suffered badly from bladder problems which the vet said may not have happened if we had castrated him.

I think it is better to the dog neutered, rather than using chemicals which may have side effects or create long term health issues.

It must be frustrating for your dog to have such a high sex drive so it probably is kinder anyway.

Totally agree.

Much better this way.

We have had male Labs our whole life and none of them were neutered. We never had any problems with any of them and all lived long, happy, healthy lives. There are very convincing arguments for having a bitch spayed, less so for male dogs. And in fact, neutering too early can actually cause more problems later in life, especially for larger breeds.

He is 2.5 years old, and in this case there is clearly a problem!

Claremont

He is 2.5 years old, and in this case there is clearly a problem!

Yes, thank you, I can read. I was simply speaking in more general terms.

David49

Sounds like you are all in favour of mutilating dogs for your own convenience.

No David neutering dogs (and bitches) is socially responsible as it reduces the likelihood of “accidental” mating or pregnancies and unwanted litters of puppies as well as reducing the incidence of dog theft by those seeking to breed (usually illegally ) in puppy farms and the like. Not to mention reducing the dog’s urge to stray whenever a bitch is in season anywhere in the vicinity , oh as well as aggressive behaviour.
Castration and spaying also reduce the dangers of cancer in both sexes so “personal convenience” really doesn’t come into it.

Eloethan

I think it is better to the dog neutered, rather than using chemicals which may have side effects or create long term health issues.

It must be frustrating for your dog to have such a high sex drive so it probably is kinder anyway.

Agreed.

Mutilating dogs? Never heard that one.

Responsible owners do this .

Have you tried looking at any of Dogs Behaving Badly episodes (on YouTube)? There might be something helpful on there

David49

Sounds like you are all in favour of mutilating dogs for your own convenience.

What a peculiar take on the issue. A view at odds with pretty much every dog charity in the country.

We rescued an intact male dog.
At any opportunity he was away over our six foot fence after any bitch for miles around. He was in grave danger of coming to grief on the road and potentially causing an accident in which others could be hurt.

He had the snip and died in his bed, many years later after a long, safe and happy life.

Humping has little to do with sex. Dogs do it when anxious or excited or adolescent. They usually grow out of it.
If chemical castration works, you may want to have him neutered but not if he’s fearful, when castration will make him worse.

Personally I think it's a training issue, which should have been dealt with as soon as the behaviour started. I have an un neutered female, a neutered male and an entire male and tbh if I don't tell them to stop the neutered male will hump all day long but as soon as he's told to stop he does.
I have my own views about neutering etc and those of mine that have been neutered were done before they came to live with me. I got him because his humping drove his previous owner nuts, it's never been a problem for us because he stops when told.
I will say I've never had an accidental mating with any of my dogs. Never had a problem with straying or aggressive behaviour although I've had two incidents of cancer both had been neutered. So experience tells me not to believe everything the vet tells you, mostly they are interested in their finances.

That’s a ridiculous and unnecessarily unpleasant comment David49.

Humping isn’t a habit I’d want my dog to develop. As you’ve shared your life with other dogs dalrymple, you’ll know the more they practice a behaviour, the more they repeat it.

My various dogs and bitches have all been neutered and lived to good ages, apart from a cocker cross who had cancer and died age 6.
I’d be inclined to castrate rather than use hormones. What’s your vets advice

I always have my pets neutered. Never had a problem. But out of interest I asked my vet about this chemical implant thing. They say it’s ok short term but don’t advocate it as a long term solution because of health implications. I can’t understand why people don’t neuter their pets. There are many benefits including reducing the risk of some cancers. Plus, being involved in rescue, breeding is a no no for me.

I haven’t heard of chemical castration before but I would prefer not to introduce chemicals into an animal’s body unnecessarily, and in this case it is unnecessary because surgical castration is a quick and safe alternative. Surgical castration can also prevent some cancers.

I had an entire male who reached the age of 5 without any problems. A friend of mine came over with her entire dog and her bitch who had supposedly just finished her season. It turned my lad's head and as well as being on the lookout for other females he started marking in the house.
We tried chemical castration and he immediately returned to our loving boy. Six months later it wore off and the hormones kicked in again and the marking etc returned.
He then had the snip and returned to his lovely self.
Worth trying for your lad but would also add getting training advice as it may have become/been a training issue.

Thank you for all your thoughts on this. It is just that I have never had to consider it before. In the late seventies/early eighties I had a divine English Setter who, when he reached the age of about 11, had to have the snip due to illness. He reached the grand old age of 14. He lived with an intact standard poodle.. Since then I have two other flatcoats, a Labrador, six GRs and a Labradoodle. Oh, and the insane Gordon/Irish Setter X. Never any problems.

I am not the greatest trainer in the world, I admit, but I haven't done too badly! OH keeps berating me that I am useless but even he has to use a Halti to walk the hound, despite puppy classes and heel work in the garden.

That is interesting BarleyF - I had never heard of that before. I did wonder why so many dogs were dying of cancer far too early. I thought that it might have been the food, although mine have always had top quality nosh.

Yes, Flexi, I did wonder about the financial gains that the vet might make because so many of them have been taken over by the large conglomerates. However, I have managed to find an independent vet here so, hopefully, profit won't be at the top of the agenda.

HVDY - I did look at the Graham Hall website. Apart from being very expensive, be had closed his books for months and yes, there was an episode with a humping pug (I think) who went for people's legs! I hate to say it but when a flattie is on his hind legs, the front paws are on your shoulders!!

I spoke to the Goldie's breeder who said that her two bitches do it and that it is just a dominance thing. Also, that he could go for the snip and nothing changes, hence the idea of testing the waters with the implant.

I ignored David's remark - all men cross their legs when you mention castration!!