AKC registration for neutered dogs
First time OES puppy owner here. Is there any point/advantage in registering your puppy with AKC if you are planning to neuter him? I'm not planning to show him. Also, I spoke to a vet assistant (not the vet), and she said the best time to neuter him would be between 4 to 6 months. Does this sound correct? Also, how do you find a good place to have the procedure done, without costing a lot of $$$? BTW, the OES pup is 8 weeks old, and already showing sings of dominance issues. He tried to hump a 6 month male beagle, and puppy growled at me when I tried to make him lie down. I want to make sure he is not an overly aggressive dog. |
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| I still wouldn't nueter before 6 months, and it is better for him if you can wait 10 months or more. You want to wait until the growth plates in his bones are closed ideally. I have nuetered them at 6 months, but 4 months is way too early. You could have health problems if you go that early. I have a 7 month old that I haven't done yet...waiting for him to finish growing first. |
| Here's one reason to register him: on the off chance you get hooked by the bug and decide to trial him in obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking...lots of stuff you can do with a neutered OES. Your call, but as I recall it's not that expensive - cheaper than deciding to do it late at any rate.
To me, 4-6 mos old is way too young to neuter for a variety of health and developmental reasons. I know people do so for a number of different reasons, shelters also elect to do so to satisfy their responsibilities, but if I was his breeder I would be begging you to wait. Ideal in my mind is after growth plates have closed, but most people can't wait that long so at least consider waiting till he is 6 mos old. I know my vet has changed her recommendation for large breeds to later than that. Aggression. Hm. We do have some nasty temperaments in this breed, but showing signs at 8 weeks old? I guess it's possible. Now, dominance, as you noted, yes. Since he may be a social climber wannabe, you could put him on a strict "diet" of "nothing in life is free" now as a form of insurance. I.e. make him earn your time, your attention, your affection; not demand it as his royal due 
Just my thoughts. Kristine |
Cadenza wrote: Hi, everybody.
BTW, the OES pup is 8 weeks old, and already showing sings of dominance issues. He tried to hump a 6 month male beagle, and puppy growled at me when I tried to make him lie down. I want to make sure he is not an overly aggressive dog. Humping is normal puppy play. He can't help it and it does not mean dominence at this age. And even if it did, some dogs are dominent and some aren't. You just might have one that is...No problem. This is determined while he was with his littermates, and will not change. If he is growling at you while you try to make him lie down, he is either playing with you, which is a good thing..... or you are forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do...which is not a good thing...He is telling you that he doesn't like it, so you should stop. By continuing to use force on him you WILL make him agressive, in defense. I hope he is just playing....  |
| I would agree with the growl advice. I am on my 5th and 6th OES and the female growls really loud when she comes to you with a toy in her mouth. The boys have all growled when they play tug. This can be a very vocal breed...check for the wiggling butt. |
| At 8 weeks old humping is not that big of a deal. He is probably trying to figure out where his place in your pack. Just push him off. When you were trying to make him lie down what exactly were you doing? Are you sure you weren't pushing him down and hurting him? Maybe he is in pain when laying down. Ask your vet to check his rear legs and hips.
If he has no medical issues than there are a lot of options you can do to teach him to respect you and not growl at you. I agree with Kristine about the "No Free Lunch" policy. Here you can read more about it: Leadership Exercise General Rules for Dogs I'm not an expert on spaying/neutering but my first dog was fixed when he was about 5 months old - he is a rescue - and he is healthy and has no behavior problems. My sheepie was fixed at 8 months, healthy and has no behavior problems. My vet wanted to neuter him at 6 months but I wanted to wait longer. They do heal faster when they are younger. So, it's really up to you. |
| I had Tucker neutered at only 4 months. I was really shocked when the vet wanted to make the appointment for so young because I had always known it to be at least 6 months of age. Tucker did heal really well, and hopefully there will be no future health concerns. Friends of mine have a 13 week old OES from a different breeder, who asks that the owners wait until much older. It seems that maybe doing it so young ("pediatric spay/neuter" is what I think they call it) is a fairly new idea? I"m not sure. Anyway, hopefully all turns out well for Tucker! I was told that doing it young can prevent them from being really big (?) and can help prevent aggressive behaviour since they don't have the hormones coursing through their bodies. |
Mel & Tucker wrote: I was told that doing it young can prevent them from being really big (?) and can help prevent aggressive behaviour since they don't have the hormones coursing through their bodies.
Actually - it's the opposite - spaying/neutering them young tends to make them grow larger - males especially - because they need some of those hormones to tell their growth plates to shut down the process in a timely manner (i.e. stop growing). They tend to become more susceptible to orthopedic problems/injuries, especially CCL ruptures. That doesn't mean bad things will happen to Tucker - that's based on statistical averages. I guess depriving them of those hormones earlier might make intact male behavior like marking less likely, but there is nothing in the hormones themselves that makes a dog aggressive. Intact males are more likely to become a target of (other) dog aggression, that's true. And, of course, they get whiny and annoying when a bitch is in season if they happen to live with intact bitches.
I'm really kind of surprised a vet would recommend 4 mos. The juvenile s/n's were really meant for shelters. For them it's more important that the dogs they adopt out don't in turn reproduce (taking into account the dog population as a whole) than weighing the long term risk/benefits to the individual dog. Perhaps for some vets, the thinking is the same. When I first got Mad and before I met my now vet, I had a non-breeder vet who tried hard to pressure me into spaying her. I finally said, sure, go ahead, and write my eulogy while you're at it, because she's being shown and her breeder will kill me. Then they finally shut up. Kristine |
| My sister in law got a pup at a pet store and the pup was already fixed? Why are they doing it that young? I mean I know so people do not breed them. But, if not good why? |
ej wrote: My sister in law got a pup at a pet store and the pup was already fixed? Why are they doing it that young? I mean I know so people do not breed them. But, if not good why?
Exactly as you write, so people can't breed them. On some level I think I admire them for taking that step...if they did it for the reasons I think they did it. Many shelters and some rescues will do the same before they adopt out a litter of puppies or kittens. It's a toss up, really. It doesn't mean terrible things will happen to this puppy as a matter of course - it's just not necessarily the best course of action for the dog. So if you know you can handle the added responsibility of an intact animal, it's better to wait. That's all. Kristine |
| I wouldn't neuter before 6 months unless there is a very compelling reason to do so. 8-10 months is better.
Early neutering can keep a male dog from developing the muscle mass that would be ideal for the large frame these dogs have. A 4-6 month neuter might be ideal for a smaller breed of dog that matures earlier, but an OES does not finish growing (bone plus muscle mass) until later than that. I agree with the idea of nothing in life is free. It is important to note that having a well behaved dog will make your life and his much, much easier for both of you--and much safer. Your puppy will soon be able to eat from your dinner table without jumping on anything. This is not a good thing. You really, truly want your dog to be well trained to have good manners for quality of life for both of you, but also for your dog's safety--and yours. |
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