LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

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Hi Deb,

I'm not a vet, but that sounds rather young to me. Most vets prefer a dog to be around four to six months before being neutered. Since you'll want to have a vet lined up for your new pup anyway, you might want to call around to a couple of vets and get their opinion whether seven weeks is too young for neutering.

Thanks for your question, and I hope it all works out. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We are buying a puggle through a breeder. They've been raising this breed for seven years. They offered to get the dog nuetered for us. The dog will be seven weeks old at the time. Is this safe to do at this age?

-- Contributed by: Deb

Hi Aaron,

Good question. Actually. no dog should be bred until it is a mature adult. That's because puppies need to put all their energy into their own growth so they become healthy and strong. With a mix of breeds such as you describe, it would be best to wait until an individual dog was between 18-24 months old before breeding.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

what is the best time to breed puppies they are 17 weeks at the moment they are crssed between pitbull, ridgeback, bullmastive, staffy

-- Contributed by: aaron

Hi Aarron, and welcome to the site.

Neutering can be beneficial, but I wouldn't count on it as a cure for the problems you're currently experiencing with your dog. Here's what I suggest.

When your dog goes in for the procedure, take the opportunity to soak those soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner. This will eliminate the urine crystals that are still left behind after normal cleaning. It's the crystals the emit a smell whenever they become damp again, and this draws a dog back to mark again. When your dog comes home, start fresh with house training again as if he was a pup. Take him outside frequently and use a one word command to associate with him going outside.

As for the recent aggressive behavior, I highly recommend going through a basic obedience course. It's actually quite fun, and your dog will rediscover his respect for you and your leadership. This should quell any ideas he has about taking over the "top dog" status in your family pack.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this info proves useful to you. You're about to embark on the rehabilitation of your dog's behavior, but I'm sure you can do it. Let us know how things go. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

OK, so I know about early neutering. But my dog is 4 years old. He has developed some aggressive behavior, and marking is also a problem for him. My question is, is it ever too late? Will neutering him help with any of these problems even though hea's already 4? He is a good boy and is always eager to please, so I know he can learn to behave. But physiologically it must benefit his behavior, no matter what age, right? I sure hope so anyway, because I'm about to spend $200 on it. Thanks for the article.

-- Contributed by: Aarron

You're welcome Tanishia, and thanks for your own kind comments. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thanx a bunch Kelly!! Appreciate ur help so very fast. :) Right i will find out from the vet when i go in two weeks time abt spaying Fluffy. These days she isnt eating at all. but her tummy is not big either. So maybe she isnt preg afterall he he. Lets see. the info abt Mammary cancer is very helpful. shall read thru the site u shared! It sounded good when u said spaying actually reduces the risk of cancer. :) I love my dog very much and wouldnt want her anything bad to happen to her thats why im concerned abt her being preg or getting spayed. THanx so much again! this site is so very very helpful!! im glad i came across this and thanx to your entire team fro being helpful to ppl like us who want to take good care of our pets. Have a gr8t weekend! Cheers!

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Hi Tanishia, and welcome to the site.

It's no bother to answer your question. We're here to help.

So, basically you want to know if it's okay to spay a possibly pregnant dog, and whether spaying will increas your dog's chance of developing cancer later on. These are both good questions.

As for spaying during pregnancy, some vets are willing to do it while others are not. The increased blood flow to the uterus at this time increases the amount of bleeding encountered during the surgical procedure, and this can lead to dangerous complications. So, it may be better to let her have the litter, if she is indeed pregnant, and have her spayed after the pups are weaned.

As for your question about the risk for mammary cancer, a research paper published at National Animal Interest Alliance draws the conclusion that spaying actually reduces the risk, although a number of pros and cons to spaying are listed, and you should Read them so you can make an informed decision.

My recommendation is to discuss the entire situation with your vet, and then decide the best course of action. The vet can first try to determine whether or not your dog is pregnant, and you can go from there.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope everything works out alright. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hii , I like to find out if its okay to sterilize/neuter ( i dont knwo which word is right) my 14month old female dog. she is a crossed small terrier dog weighing around 8 kg. she is in good health. but last month she was living with a friend of mine and under neglegence she has been seeing mating with a male dog in teh vicinity!! So now she is back with me but behaves differnetly meaning less active and always sleeping. when go out for walks she gets pretty tired and sits. but sh eloves to run if i run. she is a very affectionate dog! loves to be petted. but has good appetite. her dog food she dont like much but she wil have treats and have a main meal during the day or night. she drinks clean water during the day. but her nipples are very pinkish and popping out. and this morning she vomited twice! so cld this be a sign of pregnancy? i have ready articles abt dog pregnancies but sorry i hav eto bother u with this common ques again! :D i worried for my dog. my main question here is that if she isnt pregnant and i ask the vet to neuter her, would that cause breast cancer for her in the future? one of ma female dogs in teh past developed breast cancer and survive the operation when she was abt 13 yrs old! but she had never mated in her whole life! so would it affect my dog?

thanx so much for your time! Appreciate it very much!

-- Contributed by: Tanishia

Hi John,

This is a very good question. Every case is individual, and neutering never guarantees to calm a hyper dog or put an end to house accidents. These situations are sometimes helped by neutering, but they aren't a sure cure for the problem.

Neutering a young puppy between four and six months old may significantly reduce future sexual behavior, but it's less likely to reduce interest in this behavior in older males, especially if they have bred before.

Finally, there is no specific age limit on neutering. It really depends if the dog is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. All of this said, it's always best to consult with a vet to make sure that neutering is the right option for your dog. The vet will do a health check first and listen to your concerns before making the decision.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you take time to check out the site. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

It is ever too late to neuter your pet? To clarify, I have met some older male dogs that are intact and are still submissive to their owners. My plan is to be a good owner and make sure I take all actions to control my dog. If in fact he start to exhibit traits that I cannot manage, will the neutering at say 3 years still produce a desired results of calming down and loss of sexual interest?

-- Contributed by: John

Hi Julie,

Neutering is sometimes helpful in this situation, but it isn't a sure cure. You're going to have to be very consistent about taking the puppy out to do his business, as well as watch him like a hawk in the house to catch him soiling and give him a firm "no" command so he gets the idea that his marking is unacceptable. This certainly won't be easy, and I do recommend you purchase a crate to keep your pup in when you can't be available to monitor him. Once he's trustworthy, you won't have to use the crate so much. I also recommend soaking the soiled areas with a good enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the urine crystals and any residual smell.

Check out these articles for more info:

Thanks for your question, and I hope you can get the problem under control.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello: I have a pound puppy, recently neutered, approx. 6mos. of age. The vet said the neutering procedure would alleviate this puppies constant desire to "mark" territory in the house on every single piece of furniture. This hasn't happened. Any advice?

-- Contributed by: Julie

I have a 8 month old Doberman, I wish to neuter him at 12 months, is it better to do it now? and will it affect his growth?

Hi Jesse,

Most vets recommend neutering from six months old on, so I think it would be safe to neuter your dog anytime now. You can wait until he is a full year old if you wish. I myself haven't heard that neutering will stunt a dog's growth, but this is something worth discussing with your vet. As long as you don't have a female you're worried about him breeding with, there's no rush.

Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Jesse

Hi,

I have a male boxer pup that will be six months old tomorrow. I'd like to train him for agility work, and I'm trying to determine the best age to have him neutered. The boxer agility discussion group has made mention of studies that indicate that males neutered too young have experienced structural/developmental issues. I have not been able to locate these studies, but am interested in any information you may have about this. I also own his dam, who is likely to come into heat in June/July, so I'd like to have my pup neutered before then...just wondering if I should do this now, or wait a couple of months. Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Michele

Hi Michele,

I haven't heard of any of these studies, so send me the websites if you happen to have them. I'd be interested in learning more about this issue.

I think more people are concerned about neutering at four months old, the earliest most vets will consider performing the procedure. Vets have been neutering at six months of age for far longer, so I think it would be safe to schedule the surgery anytime now that your dog has reached six months old. As long as it's before your bitch comes into season it's good, so you can even wait until May if you prefer.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with the agility training. :)

-- Contributed by: Michele

My male puppy still squats to urinate, does not lift his leg (at 5.5 months). Will neutering affect his lifting the leg? He messes on himself in the squat, so I do care. Bob

Hi Bob,

I've had two stud dogs of my own that never lifted a leg. Some males do and some just don't. Neutering isn't likely to change this.

What kind of coat does your dog have? If he has longer fur, sometimes shaving the extra hair on his belly will help keep him cleaner.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Bob

Hi,

I have a 2 year old male pekingese, is it too late to neuter him? Will there be side effects to do it at this late stage? Please let me know, thank you.

Sherrie

Hi Sherrie,

As long as your dog is in good health, it's a great time to have him neutered. :)

-- Contributed by: sherrie
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