Hello, I have a 3 year old cocker spaniel who was castrated at around 18 months old, we also have a 1 year old chocolate lab bitch who has just come into her first season.  This might seem very naive of me, but is it normal for my cocker spaniel to be trying to mate even though he's been castrated?  He's pulling her up off the floor and dragging her around whilst doing his best to mate with her, she just slumps on the floor as if he's one huge inconvenience and annoyance.
I always thought he would lack male urges after castration, but he seems very intent, and to be getting quite frustrated with her.
Any advice would be very grateful as I'm still quite new to the doggy world.
Many thanks Joanne, Jasper and cassy

Yes. it is perfectly possible that he should still attempt to mate, although not 'normal' in that most castrated dogs would do it........  Did the vet who castrated him mention any concerns about a retained testicle?

Hi Digger,
funny you should mention this.....the vet actually called my husband at the time of the operation asking for permission to make a further incision because one testicle was retained.  He even charged us an extra £50 for this extra incision!
Could this mean something?...should I be concerned?
Thanks for advice.
Joanne, Jasper and Cassy.

A retained testical (if not removed) could still be producing testosterone and driving your dog in the same way that an uncastrated dog would be driven.  Retained testicles can be very hard to find, and it might be worth having a word with the vet who performed the operation to determine if he DID remove both testicles and having the dog scanned to see if the last testicle is still there.....

Yes, it's perfectly possible for a castrated dog dog mate and even tie with a bitch; the only thing you can be sure about after this length of time is that no puppies would result.