Neuter or Not?
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She may not be at a point in her cycle where she matters much to him, yet.
I also wanted to add that I am sure you have put a lot of work into Gunner with a large focus on attention work. Not all pet owners do the same level of training with their dogs so I think it's safe to say for the average pet owner that neutering is the better option for most situations.
I also wanted to add that I am sure you have put a lot of work into Gunner with a large focus on attention work. Not all pet owners do the same level of training with their dogs so I think it's safe to say for the average pet owner that neutering is the better option for most situations.
A well trained intact male can think with more than his 'parts' 
When I was doing the drop in classes with Kaiden (my then young, Stud dog) I loved it when the girls in heat were brought. We would do our out of sight sits and downs right beside them (there were people in the ring, and the girls always wore panties soo there was no risk) Kaiden never broke a stay, but there was a n intact male toller that couldn't control himself. It was good practice.
When I was doing the drop in classes with Kaiden (my then young, Stud dog) I loved it when the girls in heat were brought. We would do our out of sight sits and downs right beside them (there were people in the ring, and the girls always wore panties soo there was no risk) Kaiden never broke a stay, but there was a n intact male toller that couldn't control himself. It was good practice.I know no one is saying "don't neuter." I just think there is a difference between people who put a great deal of time and effort into training their dogs for specific purposes. These dogs have had instruction and a great deal of practice at paying attention. It doesn't mean the drive isn't there and it doesn't mean the dog wouldn't rather be sniffing the bitch in season across the room, it just means the dog knows what's expected of them and that following orders comes before fulfilling it's own hormonal desires. Not all pet owners establish this type of order with their dogs.
I personally have a male dog here that I got as a rescue. He is a pet and I feel that his late in life neutering is to blame for a lot of his behavioral issues. He was neutered at 3 years old and that was too late IMO for a dog that is a companion only. I am not one that believes puppies should be neutered super young either, but there is a happy medium.
I personally have a male dog here that I got as a rescue. He is a pet and I feel that his late in life neutering is to blame for a lot of his behavioral issues. He was neutered at 3 years old and that was too late IMO for a dog that is a companion only. I am not one that believes puppies should be neutered super young either, but there is a happy medium.
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First of all, if you want your dog to have masculine features - big head, muscular body - then don't neuter until 2 years old.
Second, my boy was just neutered, he's 7 years old. The only reason he was neutered is because of his enlarged prostrate. Dumping the hormones fixed that right up.
My boy was (still is) Mr. Sweetie, he never chased the ladies in heat and he always comes when called. I know neutering is the PC thing to do, but it just wasn't necessary in my case. One negative effect is that his "winky" is shrinking. Poor Doerak.
Second, my boy was just neutered, he's 7 years old. The only reason he was neutered is because of his enlarged prostrate. Dumping the hormones fixed that right up.
My boy was (still is) Mr. Sweetie, he never chased the ladies in heat and he always comes when called. I know neutering is the PC thing to do, but it just wasn't necessary in my case. One negative effect is that his "winky" is shrinking. Poor Doerak.
I can run Ronan in lead past another team that has a bitch in heat without any problems. I can also have a bitch in heat pass the yard without him going bonkers wanting to get her. As Dekka said not all intact males are "crazy to reproduce". Ronan has also NEVER marked inside anybody's house whereas OC (the one who is neutered) has a couple times.
That being said, I believe the important thing is for owners to be responsible and thoroughly research the pros and cons and a big step would be to read the articles and threads that have been provided. All of them hold some very valuable information. An owner must also step back and think whether or not they want to/can dote on an intact male and take the extra measure and precautions needed to make sure no oops litters happen.
That being said, I believe the important thing is for owners to be responsible and thoroughly research the pros and cons and a big step would be to read the articles and threads that have been provided. All of them hold some very valuable information. An owner must also step back and think whether or not they want to/can dote on an intact male and take the extra measure and precautions needed to make sure no oops litters happen.
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I'm wondering if this is what happened to my little girl. She was spayed at 6 months and she's a tall lanky thing.
http://home.earthlink.net/~hrpmann/dogs/ciana/
http://home.earthlink.net/~hrpmann/dogs/ciana/
Just for my two cents again, Trey wasn't neutered until two and he has absolutely NO sex drive and has never marked. But then again, it's Trey I'm talking about and he's weird. Beau is intact and doesn't mark. He shows now sex drive until we stuck him in a room with 14 female papillons and a female pom. But that's a lot of stimulus.
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My mom has a GSD mix who calmed down a LOT when he got fixed.
Yes, getting fixed does make some dogs (and cats) gain weight but i wouldnt say it makes them lazy in the least. I think it depends on the dog. My GSD mix is a year now, he was fixed at 8 weeks (yes is wayyy too early but the shelter insisted on it) and he is very tall & lanky and is not a food hog. The pit bull I just adopted is the same way.
I do know that unsterilized animals are more likely to get prostate cancer, uterian cancer, exc.
I say if you have a lab who is not being shown please get him fixed!
I can show you a gazillion pure bred labs on Petfinder who will be put to sleep within the week. Unless your dog has titles or you will get titles on him, fits the standard, exc, there is NO reason to leave him unsterilized. Accidents will happen. I have heard of dogs doing some crazy things to get to a female in heat.
Yes, getting fixed does make some dogs (and cats) gain weight but i wouldnt say it makes them lazy in the least. I think it depends on the dog. My GSD mix is a year now, he was fixed at 8 weeks (yes is wayyy too early but the shelter insisted on it) and he is very tall & lanky and is not a food hog. The pit bull I just adopted is the same way.
I do know that unsterilized animals are more likely to get prostate cancer, uterian cancer, exc.
I say if you have a lab who is not being shown please get him fixed!
I can show you a gazillion pure bred labs on Petfinder who will be put to sleep within the week. Unless your dog has titles or you will get titles on him, fits the standard, exc, there is NO reason to leave him unsterilized. Accidents will happen. I have heard of dogs doing some crazy things to get to a female in heat.
Caiza was around an intact bitch in full heat and it didn't phase him in the least. He was on leash and the woman was holding her dog (shihtzu). I think if he had a taste of breeding,intercourse, whatever, he would have been crazy, but his tennis ball was more important to him. Also, I think an "intact" male has just as much right to be "off-leash" as dogs who are N/S JMO. Caiza is very intune to me and when he is in fetch mode nothing else exists but me and the ball or frisbee.............
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Honestly, the decision is ultimately up to you.
I definitely feel that basically any dog, whether they're altered or unaltered, can be an awesome, well-adjusted, obedient dog... with correct training and socialization. That part is up to the owner. I have met plenty of rude unaltered dogs, who hump everything in sight, mark everywhere, and are very hyper; but that's ultimately a training issue, more than anything! My friend's Aussie marked everywhere (including people... watch out! D before he was neutered, and still does after the snip.
There are cancer risks that you eliminate, by removing a dog's testicles, and by removing the hormones they produce. As people mentioned.
I do feel a lot of it depends on your own responsibility, and living situation. Is you dog ever alone in your backyard? Are there other dogs living in close proximity? If you cannot really, truly guarantee that your boy will never have the opportunity to escape (or the female could come into your yard) and impregnate another dog... then, you should really consider neutering him.
I definitely feel that basically any dog, whether they're altered or unaltered, can be an awesome, well-adjusted, obedient dog... with correct training and socialization. That part is up to the owner. I have met plenty of rude unaltered dogs, who hump everything in sight, mark everywhere, and are very hyper; but that's ultimately a training issue, more than anything! My friend's Aussie marked everywhere (including people... watch out! D
before he was neutered, and still does after the snip.There are cancer risks that you eliminate, by removing a dog's testicles, and by removing the hormones they produce. As people mentioned.
I do feel a lot of it depends on your own responsibility, and living situation. Is you dog ever alone in your backyard? Are there other dogs living in close proximity? If you cannot really, truly guarantee that your boy will never have the opportunity to escape (or the female could come into your yard) and impregnate another dog... then, you should really consider neutering him.
Me personally I feel if you can keep your dog contained and never let it roam then why neuter it unless there is a health problem. IF you do neuter him please wait till he is mature. Neutering to early can cause problems later in life. Dogs neutered too early often have problems with thier growth plates closing properly, They are more prone to bone cancer, as well as prostate cancer. Also my own observation from work being around dogs all day is that the dogs that have obesity problems are more often than not the ones that were neutered early, while the ones who were neutered later ( 10 - 18 months ) were less likely to be obese. That last observation is not scientific it is just my own observation from being at work and talking with owners.