My 2 year old american bulldog has all of a sudden started acting soooooooo strange!! The dog next door recently went into heat, and my dog has just turned into a different dog! All he wanted to do was stay outside, and howl at the fence, stopped eating, and stopped even wanting to have much to do with us. He has also started to mark his territory in the house which is something he has never done. He has also started to act very irritated with my child, who has been his best friend his whole life. I havent had him neutered yet because I thought he was just such a great dog, and I was afraid it would some how change him.............but now, he needs to change his behavior for himself and all of us too!!! So I guess my question is, will neutering him help him with all of these new behaviors, and will he become our sweet big baby again????
Thanks!!!
2007-02-24 16:39:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
That's why we recommend neutering dogs before they hit sexual maturity. Neutering him is a kindness. They can smell a ***** in heat for miles and his behavior is a result of just that.
It takes about 2 months for the testosterone to leave his system after neutering, but it is so worth it.
2007-02-24 21:32:49 · answer #1 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, neutering will help but he will still have some lingering hormones for a little while after and continue to be a pain in your rear. DO NOT let him outside alone. Even if he has never tried to escape your yard before, he may now. As you can plainly see, girls in heat make intact boys, especially young ones, act very very stupid (sounds like human males!). Until this is over, you either need to keep him on leash around your child or put a soft mesh muzzle on him. He may very well bite him/her and hospitals are required to report dog bites. That could mean your dog would be taken away and euthanized and you obviously care about him too much to allow this to happen. The other dog should be out of heat within three weeks and things will start to go back to normal. He'll need extra food to make up for the weight he is going to lose by not eating now but other than that he should be fine. Remember to be firm with him and not allow him to act up just because he's feeling frisky. This is the time when males really start to challenge their owners and you need to make sure he still knows that he IS NOT in charge. Neutering is not going to change him other than it will make him less likely to challenge you or run away when he smells a girl. If he gets fat from neutering, it is because YOU didn't give him enough exercise. If you keep him exercised and feed him properly, he will be the same loving boy he always was. Just be glad he's not keeping you awake at night like my boy does! Mine also tries to go through windows and can open doors and crates...
For those of you saying you want to breed, THIS BEHAVIOR GOES WITH THAT RESPONSIBLITY!
2007-02-24 16:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by Erica Lynn 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Definitely have him neutered. Neutering does not change personality (that's just an old wives tale), it will only change or eliminate behaviors associated with testosterone. As you can see, testosterone motivated behaviors do not make for a very good family pet. Have him neutered soon, as he is miserable now that nature is calling and there is nothing he can do about it.
2007-02-24 23:38:31 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, please neuter your dog. The last thing you want him to do is hopping the fence and mating with your neighbor's dog or biting your child. Neutering does nothing to his personality and he'll still be the same old dog, just without the added hormones. Neutering won't solve every problem, but it's like dulling a very sharp knife. Training will also be helpful.
2007-02-24 16:47:18 · answer #4 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Neutering him will most likely greatly improve or get rid of these problems.
2007-02-24 16:47:29 · answer #5 · answered by Kona Kai 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES. But, it will take a few weeks after being neutered for his hormones to balance out.
Please do have him neutered. I am sure you and your dog will be happier in he long run.
2007-02-24 16:49:49 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ Jasmine ♥ 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They say fixing a dog will change their behavior but I've never seen it. Maybe it depends on the breed. Talk to your vet. He or she should have the answers for you. Good luck.
2007-02-24 16:47:43 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly_from_Texas 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes it will .
2007-02-24 16:52:00 · answer #8 · answered by dan m 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋