Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
This week we are reprinting an article about spaying and neutering your dog. This is an area that I don't have any experience or knowledge about. That's why I'm reprinting this article from Stan who regularly writes for leading UK magazines about dog behavioral issues.
I recommend that you consult with your vetenarian about the procedure and an appropriate age for your dog to have the procedure done.
Our Vet recommended that our dog Pierre be neutered at 7 months old and he went through the procedure yesterday.
After reading Stan's article visit Pierre's dog Emporium to see our wide range of dog products.
Spaying and Neutering (What Your Vet Does Not Tell You)
By Stan Rawlinson
Exact figures for the UK are uncertain, but it is generally accepted that there are around seven million dogs and nine million cats, which is a 5-year upward spiral for the cats and a slight decline in the number of dogs. This reflects out changing lifestyle with the trend for smaller housing, staying single and both adults fully employed, this would tend to make a cat an easier option.
Approximately 135,000 stray dogs per annum are picked up in the UK. 400 are destroyed every week. In the USA the figures are very different, they have almost 70 million dogs almost twice as many per household as the UK. 8 million to 12 million dogs and cats are euthanised annually. It has been suggested that only 50% of all dogs born in the USA will survive to see their second birthday. This is not because they are not caring or loving owners, but simply because they have no organised program for neutering and spaying.
The USA has many more latchkey dogs than the UK, therefore creating far more unwanted pregnancies. Left to there own devices. two dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 young over a 6-year period. Two cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 over a 7-year period.
As a practicing behaviourist and obedience trainer, I am often called to discuss whether the owners should spay or neuter. I find in general that my male clients (the human ones) get a pained expression and cross their legs in agitation when the subject of castration arises. They generally have no problem with spaying; it is the castration that causes the concern. Yet the opposite is true from my female clients. Who often tell me that their husbands will not entertain their dog being emasculated. yet the have no problem with the concept themselves.
Myths of Spaying and Neutering
My pet will become fat and lazy:
It is true that in many cases dogs and cats will tend to have a larger appetite after either spaying or neutering. However, we control the intake of food and the amount of exercise, if we allow them to have a sedentary lifestyle, then obesity may be a problem.
It is better to let my pet either mate or have one litter first:
Where this idea comes from I do not know, reproduction is a biological event in cats and dogs and given they are not cognisant they do not yearn for a family in the way humans do. Allowing a male to cover a female does not quench his appetite for sex it actually enhances it. He can subsequently become a serial roamer and a Houdini type escape artist.
Neutering may affect my dog's emotional identity:
Dogs do not cognitively possess a macho identity. Concerned owners should ask their veterinarian about a product called neuticals. It is an implant available for neutered males "they are artificial gonads". Some owners believe their pet will miss them! Not something that I would personally have done but there you go it takes all kinds to make a world. It may not surprise you to learn that these are more commonly used in the USA.
I want my dog to be protective in the home:
Spaying and neutering does not affect the natural instinct to guard and protect.
I can't afford to have my pet spayed or neutered:
Many veterinarians have spay or neuter programs for regular clients. Check your area for low cost spay/neuter centres. Alternatively, adopt from a Rescue Centre, as the pets are often spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
Spaying and neutering can make for a better pet and a more affectionate family companion. It is a medical fact that spaying and neutering can prolong the life of a pet and reduce the number of health problems in later life.
Females can benefit from spaying by reducing the incidence of uterine or ovarian cancers; it also prevents dogs from getting uterine infections later in life. An infected uterus called Pyometra, it is a serious and potentially fatal infection.
The heat or season lasts about 3 weeks, and is twice a year for dogs and six times a year for cats. Neutering a male reduces the incidences of prostate and testicular cancer. Male pets are less likely to develop unwanted behaviour's such as marking of territory, sexual aggression, and mounting.
Males are less likely to escape, roam the neighbourhood, or fight with other dogs. Vets depending on their outlook recommend that dogs are spayed or neutered anywhere between 5 to 14 months of age, before the first oestrus cycle in females and prior to males developing a testosterone related behavioural problem.
I do have some serious reservations: One of the problems that have been discussed within PAACT the Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers, of which I am a founder member, is the affect of spaying and neutering very early, whilst the dog is still physically and mentally immature.
It is our belief that we are seeing many more cases where the dogs are showing (paedomorphic tendencies), that is puppy like behaviours in adult dogs possibly related to the incidence of early spaying and neutering. Progesterone has a calming effect in both humans and dogs so to remove this before the bitch has had a chance to mature may create similar problems as early castrated males. We have also observed that bitches spayed too early may be far more interesting to intact males; therefore unwanted male attention may cause the dog to become aggressive and protective of her space in later life.
My personal belief is males should not be castrated until they have been cocking their leg for at least one month, and should be at least 10 to 12 months old depending on breed and size,(larger dogs mature later) unless their is medical or serious behavioural issues. In females, it should be after her first season you should wait approx 3 months after finishing the season whilst everything settles down before spaying.
Many vets will neuter a dog before they have cocked their leg, this means that the testosterone burst that occurs at about 10 months will not happen. At this point dogs start to seriously cock their legs and start to mark territory, If you castrate before this the males may continue to squat. in reality the marking may start earlier, but it is distinctive that they now mark by trying to reach as high as possible to spread their scent and cover the smell of other dogs.
The testosterone burst clearly turns on a dormant, hard-wired program that establishes this high cocking behaviour, many hard-wired behaviours are not isolated to just one behaviour and other functions that are not so obvious may be switched on at this time. These may have social functions or psychological effects that aid in the development of the critical periods in your dogs psychological growth. If we switch these off by neutering or spaying early, we may be denying the dog the opportunity to achieve its full adult potential.
My concern with early neutering is borne out of observation, many dogs that have been neutered before the leg cocking stage appear to retain more juvenile characteristics that those that are neutered afterwards. In other words, they retain perpetual puppy like characteristics, whilst this may be endearing in a small dog, who wants a 4-year-old Great Dane who bounces and leaps on you and everything else in sight, and who also shows a low concentration level associated with much younger dogs?
Studies have been done by vets in the States to observe the affect of castration and spaying on a physical level, but I have found none that have been done to observe the effects on a behavioural level. It has been observed that females that show aggressive behaviour to their owners under six months of age then spaying may increase this aggression. This is from the Canine Aggression Workbook by Dr James OÃ’Heare one of the worlds leading authorities on canine aggression
"It would appear that dogs who demonstrate control complex aggression (aka dominance aggression) toward owners prior to 6 months of age are at risk for becoming more aggressive after ovariohysterectomy. If a dog demonstrates a significant propensity to control complex aggression it may be wise to avoid spaying these dogs" James O'Heare" 2003.
This may be related to the production of progesterone a naturally produced calming hormone which is removed through spaying. However, I must point out I am not a Vet or medically qualified, therefore you should always discuss the pro's and con's with your own Veterinarian. These observations have come from a number of trainers and behaviourists, but are not part of a study in laboratory-controlled conditions.
I do believe we need to set a good example for future generations of pet owners, spay and neuter your pets, but me mindful of the pitfalls, remember, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
Stan Rawlinson
Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer, who has owned and worked dogs for over 25 years, starting with gundogs then moving to the behavioural and obedience side of training companion dogs. He now has a successful practice covering
Greater London, Surrey, and Middlesex.
Stan is recommended by numerous Vets, Rescue Centres, and Charities. He writes articles and comments on behavioural issues and techniques for dog magazines including Our Dogs, Dogs Monthly and K9 Magazine and Shooting Times.
He is also the founder member of PAACT The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Rawlinson
I recommend that you consult with your vetenarian about the procedure and an appropriate age for your dog to have the procedure done.
Our Vet recommended that our dog Pierre be neutered at 7 months old and he went through the procedure yesterday.
After reading Stan's article visit Pierre's dog Emporium to see our wide range of dog products.
Spaying and Neutering (What Your Vet Does Not Tell You)
By Stan Rawlinson
Exact figures for the UK are uncertain, but it is generally accepted that there are around seven million dogs and nine million cats, which is a 5-year upward spiral for the cats and a slight decline in the number of dogs. This reflects out changing lifestyle with the trend for smaller housing, staying single and both adults fully employed, this would tend to make a cat an easier option.
Approximately 135,000 stray dogs per annum are picked up in the UK. 400 are destroyed every week. In the USA the figures are very different, they have almost 70 million dogs almost twice as many per household as the UK. 8 million to 12 million dogs and cats are euthanised annually. It has been suggested that only 50% of all dogs born in the USA will survive to see their second birthday. This is not because they are not caring or loving owners, but simply because they have no organised program for neutering and spaying.
The USA has many more latchkey dogs than the UK, therefore creating far more unwanted pregnancies. Left to there own devices. two dogs and their offspring can produce 67,000 young over a 6-year period. Two cats and their offspring can produce 420,000 over a 7-year period.
As a practicing behaviourist and obedience trainer, I am often called to discuss whether the owners should spay or neuter. I find in general that my male clients (the human ones) get a pained expression and cross their legs in agitation when the subject of castration arises. They generally have no problem with spaying; it is the castration that causes the concern. Yet the opposite is true from my female clients. Who often tell me that their husbands will not entertain their dog being emasculated. yet the have no problem with the concept themselves.
Myths of Spaying and Neutering
My pet will become fat and lazy:
It is true that in many cases dogs and cats will tend to have a larger appetite after either spaying or neutering. However, we control the intake of food and the amount of exercise, if we allow them to have a sedentary lifestyle, then obesity may be a problem.
It is better to let my pet either mate or have one litter first:
Where this idea comes from I do not know, reproduction is a biological event in cats and dogs and given they are not cognisant they do not yearn for a family in the way humans do. Allowing a male to cover a female does not quench his appetite for sex it actually enhances it. He can subsequently become a serial roamer and a Houdini type escape artist.
Neutering may affect my dog's emotional identity:
Dogs do not cognitively possess a macho identity. Concerned owners should ask their veterinarian about a product called neuticals. It is an implant available for neutered males "they are artificial gonads". Some owners believe their pet will miss them! Not something that I would personally have done but there you go it takes all kinds to make a world. It may not surprise you to learn that these are more commonly used in the USA.
I want my dog to be protective in the home:
Spaying and neutering does not affect the natural instinct to guard and protect.
I can't afford to have my pet spayed or neutered:
Many veterinarians have spay or neuter programs for regular clients. Check your area for low cost spay/neuter centres. Alternatively, adopt from a Rescue Centre, as the pets are often spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Dog
Spaying and neutering can make for a better pet and a more affectionate family companion. It is a medical fact that spaying and neutering can prolong the life of a pet and reduce the number of health problems in later life.
Females can benefit from spaying by reducing the incidence of uterine or ovarian cancers; it also prevents dogs from getting uterine infections later in life. An infected uterus called Pyometra, it is a serious and potentially fatal infection.
The heat or season lasts about 3 weeks, and is twice a year for dogs and six times a year for cats. Neutering a male reduces the incidences of prostate and testicular cancer. Male pets are less likely to develop unwanted behaviour's such as marking of territory, sexual aggression, and mounting.
Males are less likely to escape, roam the neighbourhood, or fight with other dogs. Vets depending on their outlook recommend that dogs are spayed or neutered anywhere between 5 to 14 months of age, before the first oestrus cycle in females and prior to males developing a testosterone related behavioural problem.
I do have some serious reservations: One of the problems that have been discussed within PAACT the Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers, of which I am a founder member, is the affect of spaying and neutering very early, whilst the dog is still physically and mentally immature.
It is our belief that we are seeing many more cases where the dogs are showing (paedomorphic tendencies), that is puppy like behaviours in adult dogs possibly related to the incidence of early spaying and neutering. Progesterone has a calming effect in both humans and dogs so to remove this before the bitch has had a chance to mature may create similar problems as early castrated males. We have also observed that bitches spayed too early may be far more interesting to intact males; therefore unwanted male attention may cause the dog to become aggressive and protective of her space in later life.
My personal belief is males should not be castrated until they have been cocking their leg for at least one month, and should be at least 10 to 12 months old depending on breed and size,(larger dogs mature later) unless their is medical or serious behavioural issues. In females, it should be after her first season you should wait approx 3 months after finishing the season whilst everything settles down before spaying.
Many vets will neuter a dog before they have cocked their leg, this means that the testosterone burst that occurs at about 10 months will not happen. At this point dogs start to seriously cock their legs and start to mark territory, If you castrate before this the males may continue to squat. in reality the marking may start earlier, but it is distinctive that they now mark by trying to reach as high as possible to spread their scent and cover the smell of other dogs.
The testosterone burst clearly turns on a dormant, hard-wired program that establishes this high cocking behaviour, many hard-wired behaviours are not isolated to just one behaviour and other functions that are not so obvious may be switched on at this time. These may have social functions or psychological effects that aid in the development of the critical periods in your dogs psychological growth. If we switch these off by neutering or spaying early, we may be denying the dog the opportunity to achieve its full adult potential.
My concern with early neutering is borne out of observation, many dogs that have been neutered before the leg cocking stage appear to retain more juvenile characteristics that those that are neutered afterwards. In other words, they retain perpetual puppy like characteristics, whilst this may be endearing in a small dog, who wants a 4-year-old Great Dane who bounces and leaps on you and everything else in sight, and who also shows a low concentration level associated with much younger dogs?
Studies have been done by vets in the States to observe the affect of castration and spaying on a physical level, but I have found none that have been done to observe the effects on a behavioural level. It has been observed that females that show aggressive behaviour to their owners under six months of age then spaying may increase this aggression. This is from the Canine Aggression Workbook by Dr James OÃ’Heare one of the worlds leading authorities on canine aggression
"It would appear that dogs who demonstrate control complex aggression (aka dominance aggression) toward owners prior to 6 months of age are at risk for becoming more aggressive after ovariohysterectomy. If a dog demonstrates a significant propensity to control complex aggression it may be wise to avoid spaying these dogs" James O'Heare" 2003.
This may be related to the production of progesterone a naturally produced calming hormone which is removed through spaying. However, I must point out I am not a Vet or medically qualified, therefore you should always discuss the pro's and con's with your own Veterinarian. These observations have come from a number of trainers and behaviourists, but are not part of a study in laboratory-controlled conditions.
I do believe we need to set a good example for future generations of pet owners, spay and neuter your pets, but me mindful of the pitfalls, remember, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
Stan Rawlinson
Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer, who has owned and worked dogs for over 25 years, starting with gundogs then moving to the behavioural and obedience side of training companion dogs. He now has a successful practice covering
Greater London, Surrey, and Middlesex.
Stan is recommended by numerous Vets, Rescue Centres, and Charities. He writes articles and comments on behavioural issues and techniques for dog magazines including Our Dogs, Dogs Monthly and K9 Magazine and Shooting Times.
He is also the founder member of PAACT The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stan_Rawlinson
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