Can Spaying Calm Dogs?If you have a dog with "challenging" behavior, you've probably asked yourself this question more than once.
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers.
Spaying a dog may calm him down to some extent, but it's not a panacea. If his behavior was due to a hormonal surge, neutering could change everything.
However, if his behavior was caused by other causes, then its effect is negligible.
But let's recap first. Before we tackle the question of whether neutering calms dogs down, there's another question that needs to be answered...namely, what exactly does neutering mean?
In summary, neutering is a surgical procedure performed on female dogs under general anesthesia.
During the procedure, the uterus and two ovaries are removed through an incision in the abdomen. It is a safe procedure and, apart from some minor discomfort, is relatively painless.
As long as there are no complications (which are rare), a neutered dog will return to normal in about 10 days.
The main reason for neutering dogs is to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Studies have also shown that neutering dogs can help prevent certain health problems, including pyometra (a painful and life-threatening infection of the uterus) and mammary gland tumors.
None of these claims are in dispute: Even people who disagree with sterilization don't deny that it can prevent unwanted pregnancies and certain health problems.
Things get more complicated when we start talking about the behavioral consequences of sterilization.
An intact bitch is ruled by hormonal urges. Not so with neutered dogs. But is that enough to support the claim that neutering calms down dogs?
In a word, no.
Dogs are more than just hormones.
To know if neutering will help calm your dog, you'll need to determine whether hormones are behind his behavior or something else.
If the cause is hormonal, then neutering may help. If not, you will need to find other solutions.
Before we get into the pros and cons of sterilization, I have a caveat to remind you.
Rowdy and uncontrolled behavior, whether driven by hormones or not, can be greatly improved by teaching your dog to control his emotions.
So before you do anything else, take a moment to look atHere is a short videoDan Abelnoor (aka Doggy Dan) reveals a simple yet very powerful training technique that will help calm your dog permanently (without neutering)
Watch the video, implement Dan's suggested training, and you'll notice a huge improvement in your dog's ability to stay calm.
Here's the link to view it:
(Video will open in a new window)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sterilization
Sterilization is a safe procedure with countless benefits. But in the end, it's just an operation. As with any operation, you need to approach this process with your eyes open.
Before scheduling a veterinary appointment, set your expectations by considering both sides of the neutering debate.
First, the pros:
No chance of unwanted pregnancy
The number one reason for neutering your dog is to eliminate the possibility of unwanted pregnancy.
Puppies may be cute, but there are already enough unwanted puppies in shelters across the country.
Spaying your dog ensures that you don't inadvertently exacerbate a problem that is already out of control. Therefore, neutering your dog is the responsible thing to do unless you have a good reason to breed your dog.
No more sexual inappropriate behavior
Of course, bitches are only sexually active when they're in heat, but even then, it can be frustrating. Spaying can stop these behaviors immediately.
less aggressive
Live female dogs tend to be much less aggressive than clean male dogs. But if another intact female dog invades their territory, they will rarely welcome it.
If your dog only shows its paws around unmarried females, neutering could have a major impact on this hormone-driven aggressive behavior.
end of roaming
The need to roam occurs when intact females are in heat.
If there are no eligible singles nearby, you won't hesitate to seek them out. The end result is poor recovery and an increased risk of losing the dog.
calm personality
An intact dog is ruled by hormonal urges. Not neutered dogs.
While neutering won't change your dog's personality, it does mean that it will generally become more relaxed, with a calmer and more consistent attitude.
medical benefits
Many people choose to have their dogs neutered for the associated health benefits.
Some health conditions that can be prevented or reduced by neutering include:
- mastitis
- Ovarian Cancer
- breast cancer
- Uterine prolapse
- false pregnancy
- ovarian cyst
- cystic pyometra
As an added bonus, neutering reduces hormone-driven aggression, which reduces your dog's chances of getting an injury or infection from a fight.
end thermal cycle
When you neuter a bitch, her estrous cycle is over. In addition to stopping things like pacing, this stops frequent urination and bloody discharge, which are an integral part of a dog's heat.
result?
Less confusion, less assault on your sanity.
Are dogs driving you crazy?
Disadvantages of neutering dogs
There are undoubtedly many benefits to neutering a dog. But what about the downside?
It's not a magic solution
Some people believe that neutering will magically turn their dog into a model of good behavior. It is not.
Spaying often helps your dog process things in a calmer and more relaxed manner. It helps if they display unwanted sexual behavior and hormone-driven aggression.
- But does it change your dog's personality?
- Will this stop fear-based attacks?
- Can it correct problems caused by poor training, unhealthy upbringing or heredity?
No, no, absolutely not...
Disinfection does a lot, but it's not a panacea.
Loud and rebellious behavior has little to do with reproductive hormones.
If your dog's problems go beyond a hormonal surge, neutering won't help either.
increased risk of obesity
First, neutering won't make your dog fat. However, it does alter the dog's metabolism and hormonal makeup.
Neutered dogs don't need as many calories as intact dogs. If you continue to feed them in a consistent manner, they are at greater risk of obesity and the associated health risks that come with it.
it is expensive
Spaying can cost up to $300, depending on variables such as where you live, the dog's age, health and breed, and the location of the surgery.
If you eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancy by neutering, it's a price worth paying. After all, the cost of feeding a few small mouths will be much higher.
However, if you're neutering just to calm your dog down, it's worth considering how much you're getting for your investment.
Spaying your dog can reduce hormone-driven behaviors. But if their behavior is rooted in a deeper problem, it won't magically change them.
increased risk of certain diseases
Sterilization can greatly reduce the risk of several life-threatening health conditions. However, some research suggests that it can have the opposite effect in other conditions.
Loss of reproductive hormones appears to negatively affect the endocrine system, leading to low thyroid levels.
It is also thought that neutered dogs are two times more likely to develop angiosarcoma of the spleen and five times more likely to develop angiosarcoma of the heart compared to intact bitches.
it's not without risk
Sterilization is generally considered a harmless and hassle-free procedure with minimal risk of complications and side effects.
Having said that, this is still a procedure performed under general anesthesia. For some dogs (especially older ones), this can be risky in itself.
If sterilization is recommended for medical reasons or as a method of controlling unwanted behavior, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.
Even so, it is important to be aware of possible complications of surgery when starting the procedure.
Related Posts:assistance! My dog is going crazy with other dogs
Other Ways to Soothe a Dog Without Spaying
First, sterilization is a great way to control unwanted pregnancies. It is also notable for its ability to reduce the likelihood of various serious diseases.
But as for its sedative effects...there's no consensus yet.
If hormones are to blame for your dog's bad behavior, neutering can go a long way. But dogs are more than just hormones.
So if your dog is boisterous due to lack of training, fearful due to lack of socialization, or aggressive due to temperament. So sanitizing them is not going to help.
If you want to permanently address your dog's behavior, you may need to go beyond the knife.
Before doing anything else, figure out exactly what the problem is.
Spaying would be beneficial if the problem is aggression towards other females, unwanted sex and wandering.
If the problem is generally loud and unruly, you may have more success using one of the following methods.
Teach control
Hyperactivity, over-excitement, and loudness are signs that dogs don't know how to control their emotions.
But by teaching your dog how to take controlstep-by-step calming exercisesDan talked about theonline dog trainerYou'll see a calmer dog without neutering.
Because by introducing Dan's tricks into your routine, you're teaching your dog to see you as a leader, an important step in getting him to heed your directions.
With regular use, you will soon see a noticeable improvement in your dog's behavior.
practice positive reinforcement
Dogs can be picky. They want your attention, and they always want your attention.
Whether it's positive or negative attention, they don't care. If it comes from you and goes to them, that's all that matters.
Next time your dog starts jumping up and down and acting crazy, just ignore it. Just turn your back on them and let them be. If you yell at them, tell them to stop, or reach out to calm them down, your attention is inadvertently reinforcing the behavior.
Wait for them to calm down completely. Once they do, praise and reward them for their good behavior.
By ignoring bad behavior and rewarding good behavior, you'll teach your dog what behaviors get him what he wants and what behaviors don't get him what he wants.
increase exercise
A bored and frustrated dog that doesn't get enough exercise can get you into trouble. It's not the dog's fault: If you're cooped up in the house all day with nothing to do, you're probably feeling a little anxious, too.
Dogs need at least one hour of combined activity each day. Add a walk or two to your routine. Games are also a great way to release energy, as are agility classes.
When we talk about exercise, don't forget the importance of exerciseExercise their brains.A few interactive puzzles and food distribution toys will go a long way toward keeping your dog happy and stimulated.
final thoughts
Sterilization offers enormous benefits, including eliminating uncontrolled reproductive problems and reducing the risk of life-threatening cancers.
But can sterilization magically cure rowdy behaviors of all kinds? No.
Spaying can help if your dog roams around, becomes aggressive when other females hang out in its territory, or exhibits poor sexual behavior.
Although neutered dogs tend to be more laid back than unneutered dogs. That doesn't mean it's guaranteed they will be.
Whether your dog's cranky behavior stems from a behavioral or environmental issue rather than a hormonal issue. Solving this problem requires more than disinfection.