Following the advice of our vet and the woman who runs our obedience class, we have decided to go ahead and have Sparky neutered. He is being "done" tomorrow, but I am having pre-op nerves. Looking for a bit of support/constructive advice/criticism please, as it's not too late to change my mind.

He is showing increasing signs of dominance, not with me, but with my daughter, who does most of his training, though we were led to expect this and are willing to ride it through. He is constantly masturbating (though in my ignorance I thought he was cleaning himself), cocking his leg, humping any piece of material he can get his paws on (including the kitchen curtains - the new object of his desire) and is back on a long line as I can't trust him to come back to us if we pass a bitch when out walking (though he is only 6 months, am I expecting too much of him?). He almost cocked his leg on a woman who apparently has an in-season bitch at home last night at class. (Though again, is this really his fault? Surely most people who have an in-season bitch would stay away from class?). The woman who runs the group said we are in danger of undoing all the good work we have put into him if we let him carry on as he is. She also said that neutered dogs tend to be healthier than those left entire - is this an old wives tale?

I had to take him to the vet this morning as he has been having problems with his anal glands, and when I described his recent behaviour to her she was very quick to suggest neutering. I would like to think this was a professional judgment, but am willing to stand corrected.

BUT - on long line his recall is 100%, he rarely strays to its extent, and as long as I spot possible distractions in time, I can usually get him to walk close to me. He has a gorgeous coat, which I understand will probably change after the op, and I must admit I am nervous about him going under general anaesthetic.

I'd really appreciate your comments on this, either for or against.

Tracey, are you going to breed from him - ever? If not, is it fair to leave the dog with an itch he cant scratch ? Everyone has different circumstances and I can only refer to mine. Morse is castrated as he has no pedigree, so any pups would join the masses in rescue ( if lucky), our street is full of entire bitches and I feel it is unfair to have him frustrated and possibly straying into danger after distant damsels. Also I did not want my small girls used as substitutes. Our decision was based on what was best for Morse.

As far as training goes castrated or not theyre all Kevins from 6-18 months and I dont see any advantage to castration as a training aid. YOur leader should have enough self confidence to help you handle a teenage dog and tell those with in season bitches not to attend.

Despite being told I have " ruined " my dog, usually by men, Im comfortable with our decision. If youre not sure or feel pressured, DONT DO IT.

Lorelei
I hadn't intended breeding Sparky at first - he has an endorsement on his registration anyway. We were thinking about it a couple of weeks ago, as I was considering his line if he turns out sound, but having done a bit of digging, although his sire is a show champion and has a very sound pedigree and good hip score, his dam has no hipscore on her registration (didn't realise the significance of this until after we got him) so we are definitely not going to breed him. It's the "itch that he can't scratch" thing that I feel might swing it - his mind is definitely on other things.

Dean - hadn't heard of Tardak, but have decided to ask about this first as you suggest and take it from there.

Thanks both of you - would you believe I've had a sleepless night about this? I think it was the speed it all happened.

Hello

This is JMHO nearly every vet i know and have had dealings with tends to be in favour of castration, and in most cases there is no pacific need to castrate, your dog is still young at six months of age, it could well be a surge of hormones, which he will grow out of.
Six months sounds a bit young to even consider castrating him, many people would disagree - but i feel it is much too young.
Im quite surprized that the person who runs your class even suggested this, you are right people that have bitches in season should have more sense than to attend - and the person who runs the class should have refused to let them enter.
It is not your dogs fault, he is still a puppy entering into maturity - if it was my dog i would not castrate, yet, i would wait a while.
Castrating him so young could make his problems worse, have you spoken to your vet about chemical castration - Tardak?
My vet advises any owners that come into his surgery enquiring about having their dogs castrated to have them jabbed with this first - just to see if castration really is the answer, if it dont work he does not advise castration, so you could ask about Tardak first to see if castration would work.
Good Luck,
Dean