Dog Neutering - Your Questions Answered

To many dog owners the subject of dog neutering is one that is often put on the back burner. The reason why is that there almost as many different opinions on neutering a dog as there are spots on a Dalmatian. Frequently, the outcome of this hesitation is that the optimum time for neutering your pet is in the past.

Consequently, what this article sets out to achieve is to answer the key questions, and thereby help you to reach a well-balanced decision.

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So, starting at the beginning: What is neutering?

Simply put-it's castration. This involves a general anesthesia, and then via an incision between the penis and scrotum, the dog's testicles are removed in their entirety. Castration is irreversible. Post-operative care entails: Very little exercise for the first few days. And no activities that will lead to your pet getting over excited. But, please give him lots of Tender Loving Care-lets not forget that he's just lost something that was very dear to him!

What are the benefits of neutering my dog?
1. The risk of prostrate problems is considerably reduced. And so are the chances of developing testicular cancer in later life.
2. Territorial behavior patterns such as, spraying and urine marking becomes a thing of the past.
3. Usually, there is a major change in the dog's sexual behavior patterns. Including the end of humping almost anything moving, or stationary. And virtually eliminating the dog's urge to roam in an effort to find new mates.
4. In some dogs, but by no means all, there is a generalized reduction in dominant/aggressive behavior patterns. In many cases this type of behavior is simply a training problem which can be resolved by the owner.
5. Unplanned puppies are a fact of dog life. By neutering your pet you will contribute to the general well being of dogs through being a responsible owner.

Are there any negative aspects involved in neutering?
1. Perhaps, the most important one is the actual surgery itself. But, it is very safe. And it isn't half as traumatic as many men would lead you to believe!
2. The cost of neutering. This is a big sticking point for some dog owners. But there is help out there. In a great many areas there are organizations that are only too willing to help--check them out via the phone book and/or the Internet.
3. There is a tendency towards obesity and laziness. The majority of veterinarians will recommend that you reduce the neutered dog's daily food intake by around 20%. Remember, the real causes of canine obesity and laziness is precisely the same as in people-through a general lack of exercise, and overeating.
4. A common myth abounds that your pet will become less proactive as a watchdog. But, neutering only removes a dog's testicles not its brain. If prior to been neutered your dog was protective of the family home--that will definitely continue. The so-called guarding instinct in dogs is as much down to how you have trained your dog, as to anything that the dog has supposedly inherited.

When should I have my dog neutered?
1. If the reason you have decided to have your dog castrated is a dominance/aggression problem, and you are certain that it cannot be resolved through training. Then it should be carried out between 6-9 months of age. If not there is a very distinct chance that it will have very little, or no effect whatsoever.
2. Much depends on the breed and size of the dog. Many cases studies have shown that larger dogs mature later, and consequently you should wait until around 1 year of age. And for the smaller breeds around 10 months seems to be the optimum time. Frequently, the best guide is to delay until 6-8 weeks after you have regularly observed your dog cocking his leg to urinate.

The content of this article should enable you to reach a decision regarding dog neutering. The choice is yours. But, if you do decide to go ahead, in the interests of your dog's health and well-being, make sure that you act at the optimum time.

Dog Neutering - Your Questions Answered

Andy Matthews is a long time dog lover having bred, kept and shown a number of dogs for many years. He lives with his best pal Suki, a 5 year old Cocker Spaniel. Between them they have built from scratch Dog Names.

A new section on dog health has just been added at Dog Health. Check them both out --they're kind of unique!

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Spaying Your Dog - The Essential Questions

For many female dog owners the decision of whether or not to spay your pet is one that is often delayed. This is regrettable, because through being hesitant it can often result in the optimum time for spaying being in the past.

What this article sets out to achieve is that once you have finished reading it, you will be able to reach a well-considered, and timely decision.

SPAYING YOUR DOG

The first question has to be: What is spaying?
It's a surgical procedure [ovariohysterectomy]. Following a general anaesthesia, a small incision is made in the lower abdominal area to effect the removal of the dog's ovaries and uterus.

What are the benefits of spaying my dog?
1. Obviously your not going to be troubled by any unwanted pregnancies. It can, and does happen, and without your even knowing. Males are very devious Romeo's, and your sweet little girl is by no means a shrinking violet once the time is right.
2. The heat cycle is over for good. Which means no more blood from the vulva on your floors and carpets.
3. It's also the end to any behavioral problems that are associated with the heat cycle. And that includes the urge to roam.
4. There are several major health advantages. Including the prevention of a pyometra developing: A serious, and sometimes fatal infection of the uterus.
5. Similarly, ovarian and uterine cancers are a greatly reduced threat--because of the removal of the reproductive organs.
6. And as your pet gets older there is a definite reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

What are the negative aspects of spaying my dog?
1. There are the risks involved in the surgery itself. The anaesthetic risk, and also the risk of infection.
2. And often the big stumbling block--The cost. In many areas there are organizations that will help--You need to be pro-active on this one, and leave no stone unturned.
3. The same as with the neutered male, there is the inevitable weight problem. Most vets will recommend that you reduce the spayed dog's food intake by around 20% on a daily basis. The real causes of canine obesity is exactly the same as it is in people: Overeating and a general lack of exercise.
4. There is an increased likelihood of urinary incontinence, as your pet gets older. It does happen, but it is very easily controlled.
5. There needs to be more emphasis on post-operative care than in the neutering of a male.

What about Post-Operative care?
Get your vet to provide you with an Elizabethan collar, or a similar plastic cone after the procedure. Several years ago, one of my dogs nipped her way through one of her stitches. She was close to opening up the entire wound--which would have had the inevitable outcome.

Also wait for at least 10 days after the operation before you exercise your dog off of the lead. I did on just one occasion with another dog, and for only a few minutes. This lead to complications, and she had to endure a further 2 weeks of on the lead exercise. These were mistakes that I made because I lacked any information about post-operative care.

The key question--When should I have my dog spayed?
A common myth is that a female should have a litter before being the spayed. This is unsubstantiated nonsense. The optimum time period is just before, or 12 weeks after her first season. By acting during this timeframe you will substantially reduce her chances of developing mammary cancer at a later stage in her life. Being a responsible pet owner it would be wise not to miss this short, but beneficial period to enhance her health prospects.

This short article should help you to reach a decision concerning the spaying of your dog. The eventual choice is yours. However, in the interests of your dog's health and well-being, if you do go ahead, please make sure that you act at the most favorable time.

Spaying Your Dog - The Essential Questions

Andy Matthews is a long time dog lover having bred, kept and shown a number of dogs for many years. He lives with his best pal Suki, a 5 year old Cocker Spaniel. Between them they have built from scratch Dog Names.

A new section on dog health has just been added at Dog Health. Check them both out --they're kind of unique!

SPAYING YOUR DOG

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Golden Retriever For Sale

People who are contemplating on getting themselves a golden retriever sometimes do not know what they are getting themselves into and they often go ahead and buy that golden retriever for sale on a breeder's site or from a dog breeder near them. There are a number of things you should be aware of when you are buying dogs and one of these is that each type and breed of dog has a different type of disposition that is inherent to the breed.

Some of the questions you need to ask yourself before buying that golden retriever for sale online or from your friendly neighborhood breeder include questions like what grooming needs does this kind of a dog have or how much exercise does this kind of a dog need? You will also need to be informed of the necessary things you need to do for your dog before you go and buy one. Getting yourself a dog is actually a rather big responsibility and you will need to rise up to this responsibility to help keep the dog healthy and happy in your care.

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One of the responsibilities you have when you go out and buy a golden retriever for sale online or from a well known breeder is to ask about the immunization protocol that you need to follow for your pet. You will also need to ask about spaying or neutering. If you are concerned about how your new pet will behave around other people or if it will follow your orders when you tell it to behave or to sit, you will need to ask the breeder if these dogs have any form of training prior to your buying them. You should also ask about the health problems that are common with this breed of dog and the kinds of food that is ideal for your pet as well as the ideal living conditions for your new canine companion.

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Golden Retriever For Sale

Learn more about golden retriever for sale, please visiting http://www.ddksyxx.com/pet/the-best-place-to-find-a-golden-retriever-for-sale/.

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