Will neutering my dog change his personality?

Question

My dog is 4 years old and he has not been neutered yet. I want to get him neutered because I am scared he may end up getting testicular cancer. But my dad doesn't want him to because he said it will change his personality and it will cause him a lot of pain. I love my dog so much and I don't want him to go through any pain. He marks his territory everywhere though. When we go on walks, he can't even stay on the sidewalk. He sniffs everywhere we go and he stops like every second to mark his territory. If I get him neutered will this stop him from doing that? Also, he pee's all over the house. Will neutering stop him from doing that too? How can I guarantee to my Dad that nothing bad will happen to my dog if he gets neutered?

Answer 1

Here's some information to share with your dad.



Neutering a male eliminates the possibility of testicular tumors and greatly reduces the chance of prostate problems. Neutering decreases the incidence of perianal tumors and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unaltered males. Neutered males are less likely to try to escape a yard to find a female in season. This reduces the likelihood of them being hit by cars, getting into fights or lost. (Neutering is no substitute for a securely fenced yard, however).

Spaying and neutering before sexual maturity also offers a temperament benefit. Males neutered early in life tend to be less aggressive and less distracted. Neutered males are less likely to scent mark (real problem when they decide to mark inside the house).

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Do your research.  Some animals will have behavior changes, but for the better.  Some will calm down and have less tendency to roam or act aggressive.  Some may never change.  Granted the pet is older now, there's a chance he may be set in his ways, but it isn't too late to neuter him.  

Think of this, he is less likely to have complications from surgery now than he would when he is over 7 years old needing a lifesaving surgery due to cancer, if I may add that the later surgery will be much more costly due to it's not routine and the pet needs more care and recovery will not go as smoothly as it would now.  You may just want to mention the possibility to your dad of this scenario.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content...

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content...

Answer 3

WELL TO BE HONEST  IVE SEEN DOGS NOT NEUTERED AND THEN THEY END UP GETTING NEUTERED .  IT SEEMED THEY  JUST LACKED THE  JOY OF LIFE   IM SEEN THIS WITH SEVERAL DOGS   NOW IM NOT SAYING THAT ALL DOGS WHO GET NEUTERED WILL ACT  LIKE THIS BUT WHAT I SEEN  IT DID .

Answer 4

First of all it will not change his personality. You may be able to get him to focus more because he isn't always on the hunt for girls and marking territory to discourage other males. The marking will lessen but it may never go away. He is 4 years old now and this is a learned behavior. NO guarantees there. However, I can promise it will eliminate the possibility of testicular cancer, decrease dramatically the possibility of prostate problems, cut his allergies back (not take them away), and if he were to get a tumor then it would be less likely that the testosterone would contribute to it growing quicker.

Neutering for older dogs will leave them feeling a little sore, but they should not be in pain. It is your veterinarian's duty to make sure he stays comfortable during and after the procedure. Typically, your pet will go home with pain medication for several days after the procedure. Most boys after 48 hours act like nothing had ever happened, but it does take up to 2 weeks before testosterone will leave the system.

Good Luck. Keep asking questions.

Answer 5

No guarantees, but it should curb is marking. The vet will give you pain meds for the little guy, but most don't need them. You dad is acting like he's being neutered!!

It's much better for the dog. Do it if you can!

Answer 6

Neutering changes sexual behavior. Neutering at this point probably won't stop the stopping and sniffing. He's being a dog. That's what they do. With anesthesia, nothing is guaranteed.  

Answer 7

It won't change his personality. It will also discourage him from marking everything. Have dad agree to discuss the pro/cons of neutering with a vet.

Answer 8

Testicular cancer is a viable threat and hopefully your vet can make your dad understand.Neutering is a VERY safe procedure and is  highly recommended. There are so many reasons to neuter and only 1 not to, that is if he is a show dog. Neutering is the responsible thing to do and if done earlier decreases those issues stated.  

I cannot guaranteee that he will stop marking in the house ( do to his age) but it should help. Sometimes getting them neutered will increase calm and lower aggression, but again his age my be a factor.

Answer 9

Don't listen to your dad, it won't change their personality at all! testicles have nothing to do with the dog's personality lol.

He won't go through pain, they will give the dog animal anesthesia or numbing shots, he won't feel a thing.

Research a lot about it, and have your dad read about it too.

Answer 10

Listen to "the cats mother" and "raemac 02", they have it right on and it saves me alot of typing.  Mine is neutered and he was a sweetie b4 and still is.  He's too old to stop marking but it will save him from testicular cancer and may calm him down on walks cause the urge to roam will diminish. It takes a few months for the testosterone to get out of the system.

Answer 11

Neutering does not change personality, nor does it change the dog's temperament or confidence. Neutering a young puppy may keep it from developing an adult physique and mental maturity, but a 4 year old dog's personality will not be noticably affected.

What neutering does do is put an end to dog to dog aggression, and usually puts an end to marking behavior and dribbling, although in an adult dog, this is not always the case. Neutering your dog causes some minor discomfort for a day or two, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. Plus most vets send the dog home with medication to help with the discomfort. Most dogs are back to normal activity within a few days, and outside of some l*****g, never even notice. Your dad is probably much more uncomfortable with the IDEA of neutering than your dog will be with the procedure.

Neutering makes your dog a much better pet when they don't always have to be thinking about marking territory, and other male dogs all the time. They are generally a bit calmer, have better focus and attention. They are less apt to wander and stray. Plus neutered dogs tend to live longer, healthier lives. Spaying and neutering pets is part of responsible pet ownership. Kudos to you for wanting to do the right thing.

Answer 12

Neutering your dog now will not stop him from marking. It's a habit he has now. Your dad is right in a way, your dog will calm down once he is neutered. He won't change his personality, he just won't be so hyper all the time, he will just be calm. He will still play, and have fun, but he won't do it excessively. My dad doesn't want my dog neutered because he said it's cruel to die a virgin, so now he wants to breed him lol

Answer 13

Talk to a few vets. They give him meds and he will be fine. I heard that it will calm a mean dog down but it didn't with mine. That isn't why we had it done.  

Answer 14

Your dad is a/ worried about how much it is going to cost and b/ projecting his own sexuality onto the dog. Lots of men do this. They are so worried about their own testicles that the idea of having a male dog neutered totally freaks them out. Do you ever see a man complain when female animals are spayed??? Men are so insecure! Your dog's

personality will not change!! He is what he is. There is very little pain involved in neutering a animal. They put him under and snip off the testicles, Usually the cuts are so small they don't bother even stitching them. Aside from feeling groggy from being under the dog will not be in any pain unlike the female animal which has to stay in the hospital overnight. has to have stitches and then go back again to have them taken out and also has to have pain killers. Tell your dad

totalk to the vet and he will explain it to him.