Hello all!

I have a 19 month old male Australian Shepherd who I haven't yet neutered. I am planning on it, I just haven't done it because I feel bad to do it (silly, I know). He's also such a good dog I haven't really felt any urgency (ie he's not a humper, etc.) The only real issue I have with him is that he barks at and is easily distracted by other dogs. I am working on this with him, but it's slow going. Is this likely to change from neutering? I suspect it won't. If you noticed any changes in your dog after neutering (negative specifically) I would appreciate hearing about it. I am pretty sure I am going to have it done, just not sure when. Thanks to all.

Jon

I had my male Border Collie neutered when he was a little over 2 y/o and saw no changes in him drive or personality wise.

As far as the barking, umm, you have an aussie!! It's a training issue.

I had my Doberman neutered at the age of 19 months. He did not change one iota, for good or bad. He too is a dog that is easily distracted, in general, but is especially interested in other dogs (not aggressive, just interested). He is three and a half now, and I am seeing steady improvement but like you said, it is slow going.

I would say do your research on the pros and cons of whether or not to neuter and at what age, and make your decision, but as far as his barking and distractibility, just plan on training, training, training!

My experience with neutering:

-Sport was "fixed" at 7 months, humped stuffed animals her whole life, didn't shed her coat out in spring just stayed heavy and miserable (neutering changes the texture of the coat as well, softer and more prone to knotting up). It didn't changer her temperament but did change her metabolism (but we all know about that) she also lost muscle mass. I regretted it.

I have noticed a decline in countless dogs at the grooming shop. The owners would deny anything but from appointment to appointment their health changed (I noticed it with vaccines too). I never saw any improvements in behavior that weren't related to a decline in health (like obesity). So like the others said, it won't change the temperament, drive, dominance/submission, personality and likely not the marking either. Sport marked like crazy.

I guess you can tell, I'm just not a fan of neutering but depending on the situation it can be the least worst. It won't help with training issues but for the average idiot owner its best to prevent litters (or frustration if you have breeding and non-breeding dogs). Lets face it, if they can't even teach the dog to not pull, are they going to prevent unwanted breeding? Nope!

My dog was neutered just under two weeks ago, so I am not sure of the changes.

He, too, is a good boy. He isn't a dog that marks often, he isn't a wanderer, he doesn't hump (well, except for my friend's girlfriend...he always tries with her...no comment!).

My only complaint is he is a pest to my Grace (nearly 10 yo GSD). She has persistent vaginal fold issues, so he seems to be exceptionally interested in her. That is the only thing I am hoping he stops doing based on his neuter...we'll see.

I had my Pointer neutered at 18 months, he was an escape artist when any bitch in the vicinity was in season, he would scrabble over a 6 foot hawthorn hedge to get out, many a time I ran up the drive and down the footpath in my Jammies, got him fixed, no more howling at the moon and trying to get out, he is 9 this year and is still as lively and energetic as he was at 8 weeks.

I got Kaiser at 9 months and he was an obsessive humper, he really pissed all the other dogs off, he wasn't fussy if it was Hootie or the girls, he is 3 in May, and is the same dumbass sweet chap he has always been, I have never wanted accidental matings or planned litters, so for me it was a no brainer.

My boy Ryuk was done around a year and a half. The ONLY thing that really changed in personality was he no longer felt compelled to urine lick (which had previously been curbed by training, I no longer had to watch him as closely) which made him a bit more social at the dog trails (he'd walk with the group instead of behind it to sniff pee. He also started eating a little more normally with intact females around (he only goes down to 1/4 his normal amount rather than not eating at all) but he was always pretty level headed anyway (leave him alone for a half a second and even now he'd go for it, but general manners were no issue)

I'm glad I did Ryuk, I never had plans to breed him, it's easier to give him out time off leash in public areas, he doesn't smell as much (I don't know if this is actually a "thing" but before he was done he always seemed to have "boy smell" which wasn't bad but makes a difference if I bring him into a dog free house. Gambit, who's intact "smells" (not bad, just there) even after a bath but that may have more to do with the fact he pees up and down his front legs -_-

I also liked my vet a LOT. I dropped him off in the morning and he was ready to go home at around 5pm. Small incision, no issues. He gave me oral painkillers to give him for three days if he had any issue but I only had to give him one, he was bouncing off the walls the next day and was set to return to full training after about a week.

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!!

I had my huksy mix done at 6 months as per our adoption agreement from the Humane Society.

Nothing changed for a LONG time - which sucked. I had a 6 year old puppy!!!!Now don't get me wrong, it was nice to have the energy stay around for training and such, but I definitely prefer a dog that matures, balances out, and goes through the normal changes that hormones bring.

Now I am of the opinion, that if you must neuter, wait until the dog is fully mature and has gone through the changes that were naturally meant to happen. This can be difficult for 90% of the population though, because that means they have to prevent unwanted litters for 2-3 years and manage their dogs more than they are willing to.

Quick update on Vigo now about one month post neuter.

His interest in Grace is much less intense (like none!) and my pack is much more balanced because of it There has also been a dramatic decrease in his marking of her urine.

I am glad I waited until he was a year and a half old and though I was hesitant, I am glad I chose to neuter him. Trusted my gut on the timing and it is going great.