Help reassure me? Afraid my dog’s personality will change after neutering

[Anonymous]

I am completely committed rationally to neutering my dog. I totally get why we do it and don’t want to crest more puppies, it already breaks my heart how many are without homes. I totally get it, I promise.

So I’m looking for some assurances to get me over the hump of actually scheduling it. I have a 10 month old rescue puppy who is an absolute joy. He is the sweetest, most loving and trusting dog ever. He loves all people and all dogs and is just the best. No issues with jumping or marking or anything like that.

I am so afraid he will change after we neuter him. I guess he could change anyway as he gets older. But I am afraid being neutered will change his personality. Was your dog the same pre and post neuter? Help reassure me?

[Anonymous]

My vet recommended getting it done between 12 and 18 months. Is there a reason you're having it done so early? I've done a lot of research on whether or not to neuter and I've decided we are only going to have it done if we have issue with behaviors that would benefit from it. Even then they would need to be pretty compelling reasons. Recent research is showing spaying and neutering is not as harmless as previously thought. Neutering especially has shown an increase risk for arthritis, hip dysplasia, osteosarcoma, and obesity. There have also been a few studies linking anxiety issues in male dogs with neutering because they aren't getting testosterone any longer. Spaying and neutering are also less common in Europe. In Norway it is illegal. Our last dog ended up having anxiety and aggression issues and they seemed to arise shortly after neutering him.

Obviously, if your dog is at a high risk of getting loose and causing an unwanted litter then you should definitely get him neutered.

[Anonymous]

I will add that neutered males can be pretty nasty to unneutered males. We've had to stop taking our sweet boy to the dog park because the male dogs keep trying to dominate him by mounting him and forcing him to the ground. I've read it's a common problem, that why so many doggy daycares require it done by 6 or 7 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will add that neutered males can be pretty nasty to unneutered males. We've had to stop taking our sweet boy to the dog park because the male dogs keep trying to dominate him by mounting him and forcing him to the ground. I've read it's a common problem, that why so many doggy daycares require it done by 6 or 7 months.

I think you have it backwards. Unneutered male can be nasty to neutered males.

To answer the original poster, I have the sweetest dog ever and his personality did not changed one iota after being neutered. He is a small dog and we had him neutered under the age of one

[Anonymous]

I neutered my dog when he was 2 years old and it didn't have any impact on his personality. Except he stopped marking indoors, which was a HUGE bonus. He was a rescue. He was already a sweet, non aggressive dog.

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine your pups‘s personality would change in a way that would be negative. Sone people say spay/neuter will make their puppy calm down, but really that’s wishful thinking. Just not the case they just need to mature.

[Anonymous]

In 30 years as a dog owner I have never known a dog's personality to change after neutering.

My experience is that unneutered adolescent male dogs tend to provoke negative reactions from other male dogs when we're out and about; that problem stops as soon as the young male is neutered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will add that neutered males can be pretty nasty to unneutered males. We've had to stop taking our sweet boy to the dog park because the male dogs keep trying to dominate him by mounting him and forcing him to the ground. I've read it's a common problem, that why so many doggy daycares require it done by 6 or 7 months.

I think you have it backwards. Unneutered male can be nasty to neutered males.

To answer the original poster, I have the sweetest dog ever and his personality did not changed one iota after being neutered. He is a small dog and we had him neutered under the age of one

https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Why-is-my-Dog-Aggresive-Towards-Intact-Males

[Anonymous]

OP, your dog's personality is more likely to be changed by sex hormones if you do not neuter him. If it has not started yet, it will eventually. He may have never been around a female dog who is actively in heat, for instance. Your dog will be fine if you neuter him, and your relationship will stay secure. You are doing it for his benefit, he will be anesthetized, and it will help him maintain that sweet disposition. Don't wait!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all the info. I have read lots about the pros and cons and thinking about whether to neuter or not and when. Honestly it seems like people can argue either side and I haven’t been totally convinced by either. My dog hasn’t had any issues with neutered males not liking him and he is very well socialized.

I’ll tell you what my main issue is right now - no boarding places will take an intact dog over six months. We had him in a daycare once a week for socialization and she is getting antsy about needing him neutered. But there’s nowhere else I can find to send him.

[Anonymous]

It was probably a result of anesthesia/oxygen but my dog's bark got higher pitched.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all the info. I have read lots about the pros and cons and thinking about whether to neuter or not and when. Honestly it seems like people can argue either side and I haven’t been totally convinced by either. My dog hasn’t had any issues with neutered males not liking him and he is very well socialized.

I’ll tell you what my main issue is right now - no boarding places will take an intact dog over six months. We had him in a daycare once a week for socialization and she is getting antsy about needing him neutered. But there’s nowhere else I can find to send him.

Right there with you OP. We have a 6 month old puppy and have an appointment to have him neutered in November, when he will be about 8 months. I'm really on the fence about cancelling and delaying, but as someone noted, many grooming and other places won't take intact males past a certain age.

[Anonymous]

Please neuter your dog, but regardless of what you choose, don't take him to school pick up/drop off

[Anonymous]

It didn’t change my dog’s personality at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please neuter your dog, but regardless of what you choose, don't take him to school pick up/drop off

🤣🤣🤣 OP here. This one I now know not to do.