Poor flint no wonder he was unsure being treated that way.

Ollie was neutered at 6 months old I believe in neutering but I wish I had waited till he was older he has always been nervous from day one of bringing him home and plenty of socialisation with people and other dogs (he was confident while with his litter mates). The neutering has made no difference in fact I would go as far as to say it has made him worse now he is an adult.

Max my previous dog was done at 17 months 1.because he had a retained testicle so medically it needed doing and 2, because he too was a large powerful dog and I didn't fancy having to deal with him if he decided to go after a bitch in season we live near a lot of dog walkers. He was absolutely fine no fear issues with him. He was not socialised nearly as much as Ollie was either. I would not neuter as early again if I had another male dog.

I would always neuter, if the dog is not going to be used for breeding and showing... I think it's unfair on the dog/bitch to have them intact and frustrated about the urge to breed...

I don't agree with the way your vet treated you and your dog.

That's awful....change your vet hun....I would, if a vet treated my two like that I would not have been responsible for my actions!!!!

Elaine xx

Definately change your vet. I am not anti-neutering but neutering will only change behaviour that is related to testosterone. I would say try to tackle the issues you have, going to socialising classes etc is an excellent way, then neuter when he has settled.
Becky

1. Change Vets! Then ring the one that treated you so appallingly and tell them why.

2. Neutering a nervous dog OFTEN makes them a LOT worse, there are dogs on here that have been seriously adversley affected by it.

3. Testosterone gives a dog confidence, remove it completely you have NOTHING to build on.

I had my dog castrated due to medical reasons but the vet tried everything she could before the castration as he is a bit nervous and she said it could make him worse if you take the testosterone away. So the vet you went to sounds like she is crap and was blaming your dog to make herself look better.
My dog hates the vets they always let me come in the treatment room, if he has a op they give him a pre-med and I sit with him until he is sleepy then they let me take him through and put him in a cage and settle him down.

tbh i thought this was common practise - I wouldnt let my child into the doctors surgery or hospital alone so i am not going to make my dog go in without me either !! LOL

I would find it strange for a Vet to expect a dog to go without its owner when in many cases the dog may only see the vet once a year...??

Wonder how many Vets do expect the dog to come without its owner??

Hi guys, me again! All your posts are so helpful, I think I know what I'm going to do now!
You may have noticed in my first thread [first scentance] that the vet I went to was not my normal vet, I only went there because they had a deal on micro-chipping that particular month so I thought I would go, and it would maybe help Flint get used to different places/circumstances...shot myself in the foot there didnt I!
My normal vet is good with him, in fact on walks we often walk past the vets and he pulls towards the door, probably becasue he gets LOADS of fuss and treats when he goes lol.

I think after reading all your replys, which are so helpful, dont tknow what Id do if I didnt have dogsey!, I think I'll wait till he is older and see how we go from there.
Unless of course there is a sound reason to get him done sooner. And I really want to take him to socialisation classes

Thanks again guys!

Kate x

I'd like to echo what others have said about not going to that vet again. Clearly no idea! Our vet may well have mentioned neutering, as in asked if we wanted Jake done but they were very professional and just provided the facts to allow us to make an informed choice.

Jake is not neutered. I do my best to ensure there is no chance of an accidental mating occuring and have succeeded so far! He has no behavioural problems & the thing about testicular cancer is FUD in my opinion. He's had a tumor removed on his head recently. Should I remove his head?

What a horrid vet, I feel bad for all the others she is giving this unsound advice to who don't have Dogsey or anyone else to ask.