Chemical Castration for Dogs

Not the breeders I know. For one thing they make a point of rearing puppies in homes so they are well socialised by the time they go to their new owners. The breeder of my current dogs father told me he had a separate room to keep his bitches in when they were on heat. My first whippet did come from a breeder that had pens outside but he also had lots of land to exercise them on and all his dogs had wonderful temperaments so they certainly weren’t incarcerated in pens outside all the time It’s one reason why it’s so important to visit the breeder prior to buying a puppy. I don’t know how the breeder of my current dog deals with entire dogs and un spayed bitches. I don’t really want to contact her to find out but will mention it in passing if we speak about anything else. I think she does pass on some of her older dogs when they’re no longer showing as well as always taking back any of her puppies throughout their lives if their owners circumstances change although I don’t think that happens very often; it’s like the Spanish Inquisition trying to buy one of her pups.

Maybe70, I am not saying breeders who exhibit their dogs are unkind in any way, most, I’m sure, are exemplary dog-owners who love their dogs and want the best for them and their puppies. (Not the case with puppy farmers)

I am comparing conditions in breeding kennels, where un-neutered dogs of both sexes have to be kept separately at times for obvious reasons, requiring facilities, often kennels, for doing so, with dogs kept in the home as pets, where segregation is difficult, or nuisance behaviour hard to manage. In those circumstances castration could be a sensible option.

My comment above is a response to David49’s reference to the behaviour of dogs at Crufts.

Another point David - in-season bitches aren’t usually exhibited at dog-shows, so entire male dogs aren’t put to the test.

Delila. Apologies if I misunderstood. I’m whizzing about a bit today and not giving things my full attention

Hi dalrymple23, If he was mine I wouldn't castrate unless for medical reasons (I'm a dog trainer). I applaud your vet for giving you the option of "chemical" try it if you like, although it's temporary but don't castrate unless you are desperate. The humping is/may be generated by pleasure/excitement in a young dog and they will often grow out of it. Castration can cause lack of confidence which can lead to dog-dog aggression towards unknown dogs and personality change. I would work on training and distraction.

Some dogs are just humpy. Some due to habit not corrected and some to dominate.

Neutering is the responsible thing to do but is not a guaranteed way to stop the behaviour.

Why oh why do you want an intact dog!?

Both our dogs are neutered. The jackapoo (female) climbs on top of the poochon (male) after eating her dinner.

I think it is a way of asserting dominance. She is very bossy.

The poochon often grabs our leg he doesn't "hump" as such I think it is an separation anxiety thing.

It isn’t a habit I’ve allowed to develop in my dogs. Like all other behaviours we don’t welcome, it can be discouraged and I don’t understand why people allow it

Well said Barleyf and Iam. Appalling remark by David and unnecessary.

David49

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

It would s particularly important to spay bitches if you have no intention of breeding them as they are at great risk of developing pyometra.

David: Horses for courses - I have never had this issue over 50 years of owning dogs, hence asking for advice. Anyway, farms have acres and barns, where separation is feasible. In a two bed semi, it is not.

Another silly remark was "Animals can't consent". Have you ever had an in-depth conversation with a dog? "Would you like supper now"? "Would you like a walk?" "Would you like to go to the vet today for your booster?" Or "Have your broken leg fixed?" I doubt that you would get a sensible response. Supper and walk, maybe but the vet? Yet one knows that one is doing the best thing for the animal.

Oodles: thank you. Sensible comment. I have had that scenario.

Snowbelle: Now worried.

Update: Having taken on board all your comments, (and those of the vet, of course) viewpoints and experiences, the dirty deed was done last Monday. He is still very sleepy - currently snoring his head off in the middle of the afternoon. Is not appreciative of his medivest (aka Onesie) but at least it is not the collar of shame!

Thank you all.

Update: Since the dirty deed was done (only about a month ago), the humping has more or less stopped and he is much calmer. The flattie is still my crazy loveable boy but the goldie is far happier about not being mounted every five minutes!! No - he never tried it with people! Ever.

dalrymple23, that is good to hear and I hope the status quo will remain a happy one . I think the worst side effects of neutering is a raised reactivity or anxiety in some male dogs. It takes a while for the relevant hormones to leave the body. If you notice that these signs, work on it as quickly as possible because it is something you can manage if nipped in the bud.

Thanks for the update and pleased it’s helping

Can I just say / Graham hall is not a dog trainer I’d trust within a mile of my dogs. He’s dreadful

Iam64, I absolutely agree. He is not a qualified Dog behaviourist or trainer and does not used scientifically backed methods. I think it is absolutely criminal that tv companies show people like him and Cesar Milan using outdated and adversarial methods instead of scientifically researched methods of Positive Reinforcement. The average dog owner has no way of knowing that the methods they use are often causing a dog more stress in the long run.

save your money. Get the op.

Surgical castration of male dogs is a very quick and straightforward operation and they recover fast (all ours have been done; required by all the rescues we've rehomed from).

None of them ever got fat or lazy.

watermeadow

Many advanced countries, like the Scandinavian ones, do not routinely neuter their dogs as it is considered unnecessary mutilation. They rely on social responsibility to stop unwanted breeding.
Ideas change over time. 20 years ago vets advocated neutering baby puppies and kittens but thank goodness this has stopped as it caused serious health problems.

I've kept cats and dogs for over 50 years during which I have NEVER encountered a vet who advocated neutering baby puppies and kittens. This is in UK. YMMV>

Hall’s production team contact local dog trainers. They’re looking for people who haven’t engaged in training programs, which is obvious when you see them with their poor dogs

No reputable, qualified and experienced behaviours would give the advice he does. Reactive dogs don’t get magically cured in two sessions.