Cocker Specific Discussion > Behaviour & Training

Behavior after castration - advice required

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ralphy:
I would be very interested in hearing of others experience of any change in behaviour of their cocker after castration.  I have heard conflicting opinions on this subject - but from people who had not had 'first hand' experience.
Thanks in advance for your responses!                    

*Jay*:
Two of my boys have been castrated. We were advised to get Brook castrated when he was 18 months old due to his aggression - it didnt help and he got fat ::) Vegas was routinely castrated end of last year and he turned into a right mummy's boy ::) Couldnt really get more opposite ends of the scale if I tried ;) I actually regret having Vegas done - he gets accosted by male dogs on a daily basis and he still pees like a girl ie just once on a walk :'(                    

Toohey:
My boy was fixed at 6 months of age. It's a bit difficult to really remember a specific change in behaviour, possibly became a bit more of a Mummy's boy, but he was one anyway. His coat certainly got a lot bushier and he has put on weight and slowed down a bit, but nothing remarkable in the way of behaviour changes :)                    

Pammy:
Ralphy - presumably you ask because yu are considering it. It would help if you could tell us why you were considering it. If it's just routine and coz the vet says so - then think long and hard - it's irreversable :-X If it's for behavioural difficuloties, then tell us what they are - training may be the answer. If there's some other reason - lets see if there's another way ;D

My boys are intact. I tried the chemical temporary castration on my boy to see if it would help with his hyperness and general lack of confidence and anxiety. The vet just said - oh we'll snip him then - I'm so glad we didn't as it made no difference to him at all.

The most common change in most dogs and especially cockers are to the coat. It will be virtually impossible to handstrip needing clipping every 8 weeks or so and go wooly and curly, although the curly look can be avoided if trimmed properly. It often makes them look old before their time and has a tendency to make their weight increase. Some become lethargic and as has already been said, overly soppy.

On the other hand, I know of a 3 year old golden boy near me and his brother. They've both been done and you wouldn't tell they were the same age at all. One looks about 10 and the other looks like a three year old and has kept a nice sleek coat. The other is like a sheep. The sleek coat is very unusual indeed - the sheep look is mored the norm unless you fimd someone who can trim a neutered coat well ;D.

hth                    

ralphy:
Pammy (& the others),
Thanks for your reply(s).
The reason we were considering it is:  we have a 2 year old boy and are getting a puppy bitch.  As we were looking at the logistics of this we wanted to consider the problems of the bitch's 1st season (we have no intention of breeding from her).  In addition, whilst Joe has shown no aggression/tendancys to wander ;) etc we are aware this may develop at a later age...............
However, our thoughts now are that we will 'manage' the situation by separation at the time and only 'deal' with Joe if any of the other tendancys occur.  It would certainly be a last resort as I believe that just about all behavioural difficultuies can be overcome by training. Also, I do have a natural aversion to this course of action ;D
Thanks again!                    

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