I'm happy to say that you and I agree on something Ailsa!

I'm also offended. Dan has off lead issues too - cyclists, joggers, and people without dogs. I am careful in that respect where he goes off, but I wouldn't keep him on all the time coz he has his bits and bobs!

Not rude Lozzie---saying it like it is.

I have neutered all my dogs---for various reasons and not routinely but with a lot of heartsearching. That is how I think it ought to be.

To suggest that other owners will not be able to control their dogs is rude.

rune

I think there are a lot of myths around neutering. It isn`t that hard to control most dogs - even my last boy who had been a stud dog was only interested in bitches during the crucial fertile period. Of course you do get the odd one who will go for miles, but as a rule they are not slavering sex-monsters.
I`m a bit concerned that neutering, which IMO should be a decision taken for each individual dog is being viewed by some as an automatic requirement. If I choose not to neuter, it is in the best interest of my dog. If I do decide to neuter...the same is true.

i dont think anyone has said that. but you have just condradicted yourself by saying entire males shouldnt be let off lead, yet you let your own off??

oooohhhh the MUD

No I don’t, but I doubt I ever will… I think very very few people could learn ALL there was to know about dogs. my uncle has always had dogs, usually 2 or 3 at a time (sadly he only has one just now, as the two he had died very close together so last summer got a lab pup, so once he is a bit older will get another, anyways OT…) and so in his 65-ish years, he has owned plenty. But I still wouldn’t say he knows everything about dogs, and he has some amount of knowledge.

I know jake will teach me lots, owning a dog is always a learning experience as they are all different but even so, since I was young I have always read and watched, and done as much as I can with dogs (even helping my aunt train her BC to work). Obviously that isn’t the same as actually experiencing it, but it does account for something.

I don’t meet any in season dogs regularly, but have met one with jake. and when we had sam we came across a few, but we generally walked him in quieter areas.

I don’t think they should be off lead in an unenclosed area, obviously all dogs are different and I know your dogs are extremely well trained. But I just cannot accept that people can know exactly how their dog will react in certain situations.

I didn’t mean to upset or offend anyone, I was putting my personal opinion. I wasn’t condemning anyone who does let their dog off lead, its just not something I would do. what upset me though, was that sometimes I don’t seem to be able to make a comment without jakes recall getting brought into, which is totally unfair. He is a young, energetic, reactive dog and it is a common problem that many owners have, and one that I am trying to solve. Even the best, most responsible owners in the world can have problems with their dogs which may time a lot of time and work to overcome, so I do not appreciate that it needs to be cast up all the time.

have I seen it for real? No, but I have seen plenty programmes where it has been shown (the doggy programmes are my fave )

I don’t agree it is just the bitch owners fault, I think it is equal responsibility. I have never had a vet push neuter on me, and neither did the SSPCA really… they told me I should get it done (and I do think it is part of the agreement, will check that out) and they did it for free when he was old enough. But it wasn’t something they spent a lot of time talking about and i doubt they would get in contact if i didnt. when we got my old boy they were much more pushy about it… maybe just coz he was older though.

I have read threads where it has happened, I even tried to find one that I read a while back but I cant, will keep looking though.

but if a neutered male doesn’t come back, there is no chance of them impregnating a female. So its hardly that same thing.

not in this thread, but it is something commonly argued about on here. and I haven’t really contradicted myself, as jake would have been too young to mate (maybe just a week or two where he could have, hence why I mentioned he was neutered early). it wasnt like he spent months being offlead. and it was at that age, his recall starting going down hill so his off lead time was limited.

lozzi hun, what age was jake neutered at?

dogs can mate a bitch and sire pups from just months old.

i think responsibility is key here. i took lily to a very quiet park last saturday and she is in season. the last time we were there, i think we saw 1 other dog. this time a couple of other dogs did enter the park and i made sure i put lily straight on her lead.

2 spaniels did approach her and i picked her up and told the woman immediately that lily was in season. she thanked me for telling her and took her dogs away quite happily.

i intend on getting lily spayed when she is around 2 - 3 as i feel she will be fully mature and also at her peak of physical fitness to see her through the op and recovery.

having owned 2 neutered males (had to be due to being rescues) and one living until nearly 14. fantastic age for a lurcher. and dylan who is approximately 13 and has leukemia but in his mind he is still a pup. i can only wonder if their longevity has been helped by being neutered.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ripsnorterthe2nd
So if your dog died under anaesthetic during an operation that wasn't necessary you'd be ok with that?


Thank you Im glad someone agrees with me! Its all very well for people to say judge each dog as it is but to say that those who feel it is right to neuter their dogs dont care or thingk its ok if it dies under a GA is so out of order.

Totally agree, that poor girl I hope she recovers well and gets a home she deserves.

Thank you for that, I think it proves even the best measures are not alway adequate

So should rescues be done or not - its something I asked earlier but wasnt addressed.

So even the best can make mistakes.

Shona you asked this question - can I reverse it - do you?