Neutering a 4 year old lab...?

Question

When my husband and I originally got our yellow lab, we didn't get him neutered right away because we were thinking about showing/breeding him. At this point, we don't have the time/money to devote to either of those ideas. I'm just considering neutering him now for a few different reasons...although we haven't made a decision yet. Has anyone ever neutered their older dog? How did the surgery affect them afterwards (short term and long term)? Does it really make the dog "calmer?" I don't have a problem with him being aggressive, or humping anything...although he does pull on his leash to try to pee on eeeveryy post and tree in the neighborhood. And I know it sounds silly, but my husband is afraid that the dog will miss his balls...not that that would stop us for real. I'm just looking for some opinions from people who might have gone through the same thing...serious answers only please..and thanks :).

Thanks for all of your advice! Just wanted to clarify...I don't have a problem with him humping-ever (we think maybe he's gay lol)...mostly just the peeing on everything outside. Also, my husband mentioned getting him "neuticles" I think that's a little comical and I'm not sure if it's necessary...men, haha. I do have some concern with the fact that labs tend to put on weight, especially since he's ridiculously lean and muscular and he usually doesn't even eat his recommended amount of food for the day (no I don't starve him, he just grazes throughout the day). We do walk him 3x a day, so that probably wouldn't be a problem...but still just a concern.

Answer 1

Men are aaaalways funny about getting their male dog's castrated! Strangely, woman never seem to mind the idea of getting their female dog's spayed...... Tell your husband your dog is a dog, not a man, and it's not your husband's balls you'll be cutting off! The dog does not feel the same way about his testicles as a human male would, they do not have that same perception of 'manhood'. As if testicles are all there is to being a man anway. Tsk.

Anyway, rant over - I highly recommend castrating your dog. By this age, I would not really expect it to make much of a difference to his behaviour - it doesn't really calm down even the young ones. Neutering only removes sexual behaviour and since your dog is really displaying an overt amount of this I doubt you'll see much of a difference. Maybe less peeing.

It's a good idea to get him castrated so you don't have to deal with prostate problems when he's older, which are a nightmare. There is also the slight risk of testicular cancer, which you'll be eliminating. The only real drawback will be that neutering slows down the metabolism, so you have to be sensible with his food intake so he doesn't put on weight - labs are particularly prone to this!

Chalice

Answer 2

Neutering A 4 Year Old Dog

Answer 3

I neutered an eight year old foster dog and noticed he seemed calmer, not as stressed. A male dog is always on a mission - to find a girl dog. Intact male dogs are much more likely to run away, get hit by cars, etc. because a wandering, whole female will make them forget pretty much everything else.

Tell your husband if he is really concerned, he can spend a few hundred dollars extra and have plastic balls inserted. See the Web site below. It must be a guy thing.

Answer 4

I wish there were more reasponsible pet owners like you .
I have an older dog (registered purebred) that was rehomed to me. I chose to have him neuterd for the same reasons that you are considering. He was 7.
The healing process does not take long, although he was a little uncomfortable for a few days, his personality is the same as before. He still stops and pees on every pole, tree and shrub on our walks. It has been 6 years now and other than arthritis due to his age, he is still the same loving protective companion that he was prior to the surgery. The biggest bonus is that I don't have to worry about him going for a female in heat on our walks. A large male dog that has his mind on one thing is very difficult to manage.
If it helps, I used to participate in animal rescues and any dog that came to my home has been spayed ot neutered without any short or long term ill effects.

Answer 5

If you are trying to halt his humping or his peeing on everything in the neighborhood that isn't going to cure it. I have 3 male dogs that were all neutered when they were young and they still lift their leg on everything. That's just the nature of the beast I think. My youngest dog still has "wet dreams" (?) even though we neutered him as young as was safe for him. At 4 he probably would miss his balls. After all they have been a part of his bathing ritual for 4 years. I am thinking it may be too late. But if I were you I would consult with a reputable vet.

Answer 6

Neutering a dog does decrease the possibility of things like testicular cancer and other diseases (which are common in Labs). My father is a veterinarian and we have and have rescued/fostered many older dogs and had them spayed or neutered and in some dogs it does change their personality some. Some dogs gain weight because they are less active without all of the testosterone, but regular exercise with your dog will prevent this. Neutering him will help the unwanted pet population if he ever does run away after a stray female in heat. 2 of our male dogs (a german shepherd and a rottweiler) were neutered after they turned one and both still mark everything, but no longer do things like mark people (which our rottie had an issue with). Any questions feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

Had my small dog neutered at age 5(when we got him) and it's all good so far(he's fifteen now). He has lost his tendency to bite and seems to be on track to a long and happy life. He behaves and moves like a much younger dog. It didn't stop the territory marking. But I don't think anything will.
Our vet claims that neutering will extend a dog's lifespan considerably.

Answer 8

Tell your husband, that he will NOT ''miss'' his balls. He hasn't put them to use yet, therefore, he doesn't know what he's missing out on. Hehe.

4 yrs old is not considered ''older'', and he'll heal quickly and will barely notice that he just had surgery (half the time, you have to refrain them from bouncin' around like normal, for a few days!)

It might make him a little more laid back, but it won't turn an active dog into a couch potato, if that's what you're concerned about.

Answer 9

Tell your husband that he will be fine, your dog will not miss them. I think it is a wise choice to get him neutered. The surgery shouldn't effect him at all. He will be tired the first night but that is about it. I would definitely do it.

Answer 10

my folks neutered their older dog ... the recovery too a bit longer and he never liked that vet again, but other than that he was fine! Great even