Well it's been awhile since I've been on here asking for help. Thought I'd come by with an update and ask if I should neuter him or not. But first the update!

Koda has been happy and healthy lately! While I'm still making full use of the excercise pen, he has actually figured out how to climb over it. Just the other day I woke up to find trash EVERYWHERE! And a happy puppy waiting for a hug from his daddy. He's just over 5 months old now and he's getting bigger. I want to say he is in his mid 30's maybe close to 40. But I can't tell, nor do I have a working scale to hold him on. While I realize I am an absolute horrible trainer of behavior, he's still a good boy. I say that because I still haven't fully housebroken him. It'd be so much easier if I didn't live by myself, but I am doing my best! I am currently looking at houses as I am about to acquire enough money for a rather large down payment. Trying to find one with a big fenced in yard, or at least a big yard that I can fence in my self. He is also getting along with his older-little sister Trixie (my cat) and no longer tries to tackle her. If she wants to play she plays, if not, he will go terrorize my stuff. Haha. We've had our first blizzard here since I was 10 years old! I haven't been able to take him for any walks lately because of the cold, but he loves playing in the snow for a few minutes before his little puppy belly gets too cold. He always brings in a snowball for his own amusement. That's about all I got for an update.

Now, to neuter or not? He's reached the age, but I can't decide. If you recall, he was quite sick and very tiny when I first got him. If I neuter him, he won't gain all that strong muscle. Just be tall and lanky. The only part that appeals to me is the behavioral changes. I'd love to not have to yell at him for marking in the house, or humping something in the future. But a big strong protector of the house is just so alluring. I am a man, and I sympathize with my puppy losing his manhood. I just can't decide! Anyone got some pros and cons?

We neutered our first dog at 6 months. He was taller, but so were his parents & he most certainly wasn't lanky. He lived to the age of 11.5 years. Charlie is 7 months & was neutered last week. Any vet we have used recommended neutering between 5 & 7 months (we've used 3 different ones over the years). I will tell you that I've noticed this to be a hot topic on here though so you will likely get lots of differing opinions.


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Proud mommy to Charlie (born 6/6/12)
and my Bristol (10/15/00 - 3/21/12)- gone but never forgotten.

Neutering, when, or even if, is a controversial topic on the forum. There are several threads that discuss the subject.

Max was neutered at 8 months. He was sexually mature at the time, and already 90+ pounds. He is very muscular, big and strong. The neutering has had no effect on him. He has never marked in the house, but still does some humping, and lifts his leg and marks outside on occasion.

If your boy got off to a slow start, you might want to wait until he is a little older, but that is up to you. Do the research, and make the decision that works best for you and Koda.

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Dave

I got Maverick neutered at about 5.5mo. He is quite tall now, but I can really tell he's been packing on muscle the past 2-3 weeks(doesn't look lanky anymore, though he never really did). He's always been submissive and very kind, but lately (and it's just a phase) his patience with other dogs who don't leave him alone isn't as long as it used to be. He's also tried humping last week a few times, but I think he was doing some "monkey see, monkey do". And as a man, it hurt me even a little to bring him in for the procedure, but as soon as he came out he was as happy as dog as can be, just with a cone LOL!

You're going to hear about 10 different answers regarding neutering or not. Ultimately, it is your decision. I sought the advice of my vet, fellow owners at the dog park, and all the great members here at GRF. I decided to get him fixed at 5.5mo because of my own busy schedule and doing so at that time allowed me to monitor him for the full 10days of little to no physical activity. I figured if he had to suffer, I might as well been somewhat miserable with him. They were quite a boring 10 days, but we got through it.

Use the search about neutering and you'll get a bunch of information, all of it quite helpful. There are pros and cons, but imo, the pros outweighed the cons. Some people here stand their ground for either side and both have great arguments, but it all comes down to you. He's your dog, he's your responsibility, and you need to decide what's best for him.

And just to make you feel better about the "big strong protector", Maverick barks at almost any person he doesn't know he sees walk by our house, big boy bark too. I see these strangers scurry by a little quicker after hearing him LOL

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I've done research. But research is research. I'm asking you experienced people to lend me your knowledge. I just can't decide. I mean he doesn't have his testosterone yet, and without it he won't grow as much muscle as he should. I can't decide!

Lol, we can't decide for you. People either neuter or don't, and those who do may do it at different ages (Max's dad and I, for example). There's too many variables for a definitive answer, IMO.

Like I mentioned, the answers are out there, you just gotta find them. There are users here who have shared their experience regarding this topic and I found a couple of them with the search function. I guarantee in those same threads you'll see the argument/experiences from the opposing end so that's 2 birds with 1 stone. Just remember that was some other members have experienced, you may not. Each of our dogs are a little different and consider that in making your decision.

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I like the idea of waiting until the hormones have helped him mature. I wanted to wait for 18 months with Tucker but had it done at 11 months because he was getting picked on by other male dogs. And I was pretty upset the day of the surgery, so I understand your emotions about getting it done. Good luck with your decision!

BTW, most major pet stores seem to have animal scales. I weigh mine quite frequently.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Humping and marking will not stop when you neuter. Mine marks outside all the time and that started AFTER he was fixed and his humping is actually worse now that hes fixed. I would wait till at least 18-24 months before you decide. At that point if theres no issues health wise that would warrant a neuter...why bother...dont screw with the hormones that he needs for growth/development and proper function of his system as a whole. Hormones control more then just sex drive.

I follow the theory of if it aint broke dont fix it, why play with fire. Yes, theres a small chance negatives could come out of it but why bother taking that gamble. Look into a vasectomy that makes his sterile but allows him to keep his needed hormones.

Heres a good read
The Negative Aspects of Neutering Your Pet

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongT...uterInDogs.pdf

I have two neutered girls, two neutered boys, and three intact girls... One girl is underage...all of the dogs in all combinations, mount each other. It is not always sexual, frequently it is what dogs do when they do not know what else to do.

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Janice and The Celebration Gang -
"Samantha, George, Tiki, Emily, Mick and Basil" Gone but not forgotten, Sally(Windjammer's Ima Country Girl CDX CGC), Laney(Mandell Marlenes Celebration UD RA CGC), and Cookie(Starseeker's Kissmas Cookie CDX RE CGC).

Very true! Charlie was VERY humpy at 9 weeks old from just plain old excitement, not anything sexual. That seemed to phase out in its own.


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Proud mommy to Charlie (born 6/6/12)
and my Bristol (10/15/00 - 3/21/12)- gone but never forgotten.