Castration advise required

I'm really unsure what to do. My dog is 16 months old, he is a very nervous dog. He chews his hair out which he has done since before I got him, he also consistantly tries to mount my leg or get my arm underneath him. Somebody told me to try a DAP diffuser, which I must say has helped a little. My groomer I use keeps telling me along with others that I should get him castrated, that it would calm him down.

I spoke with my vet regarding this and she says I should get him done sooner rather than later. (I feel, I must add that my vet is Spanish and I find it very difficult to get my vet to understand me and visa versa). Is there a particular age when dog should be castrated, my main worry is that he is still very puppyish and that he would pull his stitches out. I have owned dogs all my life, but they have always been bitches. So I am at a loss to know whats best for him. Please help.

I had my dog done around this age and he was fine. If you are not comfortable with your vet maybe look for another, is there only the one vet at your surgery? I feel it's important to get on with your vet as it eases your worry.

I'd get him done asap, he would benefit and i'm sure he'll be fine with his stiches, maybe ask the vet to put dissolveable ones in if you are worried

Definitely get him castrated. My dog Lennon was castrated at 15 months, and he's much better now. A collar can be provided by your vet to prevent him getting to the stitches. Good luck

Have you read this article ?

When I was young and lived at 'home'. (before I married). We had a cross breed dog Spaniel/Boxer (Bruce). He was very nervous and was so afraid of the dark, we had to leave a light on all night, and was really timid through the day. When we took him to the Vet, he said that we must have him castrated asap or he would be beyond help. We had this done and he would have been around 12-18 months old. The change in him was not immediate but very soon he calmed down. He was a real treasure and I really believe it was due to the operation. He loved to suck a dummy, he was a lovely dog, and I have very fond memories of him.
AnneXX

If you have a very nervous dog, I would strongly think about NOT getting him neutered, it can have very adverse effects. You may wish to speak to a dog behaviour specialist.
Dawn.

I had my dog castrated at 12 months because of all those naughty mounting habits and crazy behaviour. I have never looked back. He has stopped the mounting and he is such a pleasure to be around, completely changed his whole attitude! As regards to stitches, yes the vet will provide you with a buster collar to stop this.

hi i have to agree with dawn if your dog is really nervous castrating him at the mo could be the worst thing you do cos he could actually become more nervous and differcult without the testosterone!!i would speak to your vet about refering you to a behaviourist to do some work on him b4 you castrate,also his behaviour needs assessing because not all mounting behaviour is sexual,dogs can show sexual behaviour when stressed

Have just read the above article (more confused than ever now). I have to say Ozzie is not aggressive, in fact completely the opposite (he cries when he is trying to mate my arm or leg). As for getting a behaviourist involved well I just don't seem able to find one in this area, and another of his problems is the car!

I tried to email the breeder where I got him from for her advise but as yet I have had no response.

With regards to my vet, I have to go to one local to me because of the car situation. There are two vets one speaking only spanish and the other spanish, german with a little broken english.

what a shame why not look on the apbt website and e-mail them for a contact in spain i am sure there will be one!! what part of spain are you in? i work with a spanish vet maybe he could recommend a english speaking one for you? just a thought!