Neutering question!

[djvectrex]

Hello everyone,

My sweet boy Matrix is 4yrs and 2months old and he has not been neutered! I always knew it would be a tough issue to deal with and I think due to certain circumstances I have to consider having him neutered! Long story short, my girlfriend is going to move in and she has a very peaceful spayed female collie and a cat but my big boy is very aggressive and dominant toward other dogs but surprisingly I managed to walk them twice, each on either side of me, Matrix had a muzzle on! He's also pretty jealous of me when my girlfriend is with me and barks at me everytime we kiss! I'm planning to try to tame him a little through some training and possibly an electronic collar, though I'm a bit skeptical about it! If either do not work I will have to do it! I have a very hard time with it and I would not do it but if I do end up proceeding I want to make sure I know about all the risks and dangers that come with neutering a male at his age! Obviously if the collie is not intact, Matrix should not try to hump, right?

[ponyfarm]

One of the dogs is going to have to be nuetered if they are to live together. Unless, you are the best at keeping them apart when needed. Matrix sounds like he just needs obedience training to stop the unwanted behaviors. If you decide to nueter Matrix, he should be fine.

[1sttimeforgsd]

If I read your post right your girlfriends female has been spayed, you said that your boy was very aggressive and dominant and I am not sure that neutering him will correct him being this way. I am sure others with more knowledge will offer some information to you about if neutering will or will not alter his temperment. Good luck with your boy, and no I would not want him to be mounting her you will have to correct that with a NO every time that you catch him.

[Emoore]

Neutering him isn't going to change the behaviors you describe. Training and behavioral modification will. That whole deal with barking at you and your girlfriend for kissing just won't fly; it'll have to be taken care of pronto or could result in real aggression to your girlfriend. Good luck with this, I think your best bet is to consult an in-home trainer.

[Draugr]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Neutering him isn't going to change the behaviors you describe. Training and behavioral modification will. That whole deal with barking at you and your girlfriend for kissing just won't fly; it'll have to be taken care of pronto or could result in real aggression to your girlfriend. Good luck with this, I think your best bet is to consult an in-home trainer.

Yep. This exactly.

[LisaT]

Humping is often a dominance sign, rather than sexual, so dogs that are spayed or neutered may still try to hump. You need to correct the dog that is doing this.

There are some studies here on behaviour and neutering:
Spay/Neuter - GermanShepherdHome.net

In some dogs, neutering will help with some of these behaviours, , though you don't know beforehand which ones, but the key will be proper training (yes, get an inhome trainer!). Shouldn't need a shock collar for this.

[PupperLove]

I would't put too much faith into neutering to resolve his issues. I would say it is more behavioral than anything. If he is very aggressive it might be worth a shot, but otherwise I would focus on the training and/or consult a trainer for him. good luck!