[Clydehhi]

Hi! I know this is a hotly debated issue, but need some advice on when to neuter.
It was always our intent to wait until Clyde was 18 months before neutering, but at 9 months old he’s picked up some really intense hormone-driven behaviors.

In the last 3 weeks he’s started lifting his leg and peeing on ME while we’re in public, has peed on multiple male dogs, got kicked out of daycare for “excessive humping”, and even pees in his water bowl!!! He is really struggling to focus in both his private and group training and running off without recall off leash- and overall is acting like a screw is seriously loose.

I know these behaviors are a result of hormones and adolescence, but it’s on the extreme side. Our vet is a big believer in waiting to neuter until at least a year, but even he has recommended maybe we do it within the next month. He’s pointed out It’s really a balance between what we can handle and how long we can wait.

I want Clyde to be as healthy as he can and I want him to have that Vizsla “look”, but also worry about these behaviors becoming more ingrained long term if we wait.

Has anyone neutered around 10 months? Did you notice some of these marking and humping urges decrease? Did they still develop ok?

thanks in advance!!!

 

[InTheNet]

Not if you can avoid it.
Do your best to get to at least 14-15 months.

He is still filling out.

 

[texasred]

A lot of what your dealing with sounds like age related, and not between the legs.

 

[hipEchik]

I neutered one at 12 months, one at 8 months and then that study came out. And the first one did die of cancer at 10 years and he did have severe hip dysplasia issues. I will say that he did seem to calm down after we neutered him. The second one is almost 9 years old and is thus far fine. All that said, I have a one year old humpy puppy and we are waiting until he is two. And I know how hard it can be. I was in this very space with my first one begging for help. But if you can wait, I would.

 

[Helga]

I would wait until the dog is 2 years old which is when all body growth stops. If you wait until that point, you will be sure that no health problems would happen that relate to not all growth taking place. There isn't really any rush to neuter - the later, the better

 

[NuttyBuddies510]

I have two boys, one still in tact who is scheduled to be neutered next month at 18-19 months and had some humping issues which I treated just the same as any other behavioral issue and removed the object or him and he has not done that in almost 6 months now. He has not had any urination issues inside the house, however, outside he does lift his leg and mark stuff and in pet stores it is almost a guarantee he will hold it until we are in the store so he can watch me clean up his puddle 😂😅. My other one who is 5 months older ended up being cryptorchid (one testicle was stuck inside and would not drop) and was neutered at 6 months due to obvious discomfort and natural behavioral issues which resolved within 8 weeks of his neuter. I can only assume some good habits rubbed off onto my younger Bucee boy which is why I haven’t had many issues with inside urination. He does also do the lip quivering and drooling when smelling female urine spots.

Some of the behavior you’re talking about I personally think can be resolved with one on one training. As I’m sure you know consistency is key, but like previously stated it’s what you can handle. My older one that was neutered much younger than I would’ve liked had no issues whatsoever other than allergies, my youngest actually had slight cow hock in his back legs and was hoping it would correct with age and from what I can tell, it has.

Ultimately it comes down to what you think is best for your pup and your living situation. I hope my input has helped and wish you the very best with your baby!

 

[johnes]

We noticed similar behaviour with our V around same age as yours. We had to double on correcting unwanted behaviours. We worked with some trainers and that helped. As soon as he turned two we noticed significant difference. He is much calmer. And he is even more calm after he turned three. We have decided we will keep him intact.
Depends on what you can handle. If you can correct the behaviour then it will likely not going to be ingrained or if you can identify factors that’s causing the behaviour then you can change his reactions towards those factors. Good luck

 

[Rust Buckets]

My breeder says NO. It’s even in the contract to not neuter until he’s 2 yrs old.

 

[Pupmum99]

Ten months is young and lots of growing still going on. I personally think it’s a tie up between hormonal behaviours which can become learned and engrained if left at play for too long versus obviously making sure they grow and develop musculoskeletally as safely and as completely as possible. It’s always difficult to advise on a forum post without seeing it. Involve a clinical behaviourist or two if you haven’t already and if still no changes revisit. Skeletal maturity is incredibly important but on the flip side so is behaviour shaping during juvenile months which may end up lasting their entire life beyond hormones. Every dog is an individual and just because someone’s done one thing won’t mean it’s necessarily the right thing for yours. I was back and forth with neutering my own, in the end his behaviour with other dogs was affected and worsening, and so we’ve trialled a temporary implant to see if it helped, (it has so far), before going straight under the knife. He was 21 months when we did. Make a pro’s and cons list. Exhaust other options, be aware of the risks of both and as above, wait if you can. Good luck 🐶