Unfortunately all the "male behaviour" that is learned prior to castration is not unlearned by removing the source of the testosterone, as you have discovered. It then becomes a behavioural/training issue. This was pointed out to me by a vet who is in favour of all dogs being neutered at 6 months. Personally I would still leave it until the dog is physically mature but deal with the "male behaviours" as they cropped up.

I have just acquired a male, 17 month old ESS called Dusty, who is neutered and is chasing both male and female dogs in an aggressive and preditory manner with the sole intention of humping them. He also does it to one of my other neutered males, Freddie, who is too submisive to stop him effectively. He was really persistent at first, completely disregarding anything I said (or did) and causing Freddie huge levels of anxiety. I deployed my plant mister on the "squirt" setting on 2 occasions whilst issuing the comand "leave", which worked at treat. The other dog Ollie pinned him to the floor for humping him which has resolved it as far as he is concerned. I am working really hard on Dusty's recall and "leave" commands and he has definitely improved as far as Freddie is concerned, now virtually leaving him in peace.


I am fortunate enough to have lots of friends and family with stooge dogs we can walk with and practise on. I am delighted to say that we are making good progress. Fortunately we rarely encounter other dogs in the woods where we walk, but if we are likely to, until I have completely resolved this Dusty has to stay on a flexi-lead.

Around here people who can control entire dogs are the minority...

Don't forget that people on this forum are the dog owning minority.

Unless you are going to breed/show i can't see the point personally of having an uncastrated dog/unspayed bitch - thats what the bits are there for after all. If it stops unwanted pregancies then crack on.

Don't worry, you've been very informative which is just what I wanted ;o)

LOL, LMAO Stormey ;o)

Hmmmmm. OK thanks Fran. ;o)

That's exactly what I thought and if I didn't have a springer I wouldn't really give it a second thought. The trouble I have is that I am aware of so many pros and cons for neutering a springer so my head is spinning.

The breeders aren't in touch with any of his brother's anymore sadly, apparently we're the only ones who bothered and they kept the only bitch.

I'm also finding it difficult to speak to people at work who own springers (ALOT) as general consensus seems to be that if they are breeders they suggest leaving him, if they're workers they say castrate after 9 months.

The vet has said it's entirely up to my but not until 9 months.

I honestly think the best thing is to forget about it for now and see how we feel/he is in 3 months time.

There, sorted and thank you all for your advice/help xx

You must feel proud to have inspired a 16-page thread about your dogs balls.

I must admit, I haven't looked at them in the same way since ;o)