Hummm... Might be that time...the dreaded neuter decision...

[ghggp]

Well, Liam is now one year and one month old. Since I have not raised a puppy since Laddie, and he was neutered at six months, I am thinking about when to do Liam.

Mind you, from everything I have been reading about the closing of growth plates they recommend 18 months. Liam has never tried to hump Beau or Baron. Well, maybe twice and I got after him for it and he has not tried it again.

The only thing I have noticed before today is he over marks where Beau and Baron urinate or when we go on walks and he smells where another dog has gone. Well, this morning I noticed he smelled where Beau had laid on the floor and when he got up Liam went over to sniff... he then proceeded to lift his leg and RIGHT in FRONT of me... urinate on the floor and rug! Needless to say, I leaped out of my chair, grabbed his ruff, and gave him a stern... NO!

I can tell you that boy is VERY WELL endowed! Quite frankly, I am quite surprised as he is not dominating in the least. He is the sweetest, loving and docile in temperament. I just love that about him. Yes, he is still wary and fearful but, we are going back to class on Monday to hopefully diminish those issues.

Anyway, I guess the decision will be made for me if he continues to try and mark in the house. Can't tolerate that! He is not going to be used for breeding so he will be fixed eventually. So, the timeline is the only issue now. I guess I can wait if he realizes marking won't be tolerated in the house. Or, we go for the big snip sooner than later... thoughts?

It pains me to know he will have to go through this procedure as he has NEVER been away from home or from me for that matter... feeling very guilty knowing this is in his future!

 

[Piper's mom]

With Piper I wanted to wait until he was at least 3 to neuter him but like Liam, marking was a big big issue for him so he was done at 2. Finnie is the exact opposite of Piper, he doesn't mark in the yard, he will mark on walks (if I give him the leash to do it) but hasn't made a habit of it at classes. I think you need to go with your gut, if you can get a handle on his marking indoors (good that you reacted so quickly when he marked) then perhaps you could wait until he's older but if not you may have to get him done sooner rather than later...you don't want it to become a learned behavior.
By the way that's a lovely picture of Liam, it looks like he grew into his big ears lol...they don't look big anymore and they have a nice tip to them. You did a wonderful job on them Gloria.
Good luck at class on Monday, a word of advice...take a very high value reward treat for Liam. I make beef jerky (ground beef, bit of garlic powder and pat out long thin strips onto cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or so at 350), I tear off small bites (I also made directly on dehydrator) for the dogs. The tastier the better for Liam, as he may be very nervous at first and may not accept just anything.
Good luck on Monday!

 

[ghggp]

Thanks, Lisa, for providing your experiences with Piper...
I want to wait until two as well... I guess since this is his first incident I will wait and see. You are right... I DON'T want it to become a learned behavior!

Appreciate commenting on his ears... YES, he sure grew into them! Unfortunately, the left ear is still riding significantly higher than the right ear which I think is perfect. The left ear I taped down at the halfway point yet it still only tips slightly. I took his tape out for over two weeks not to see how they were doing... May need to retape the left again...

Yes, high value treats for sure... Will try you ground beef... he has a tender tummy and does not tolerate changes to his diet... may have to pay the consequences.
Fingers crossed... I know he will be concerned at first. But, being at the facility before I hope he adjusts sooner than later.

 

[Calliesmom]

Jocu was a marker. he would pee on every upright tree, bush etc.... I don't remember him doing it in the house but the pet store was a different story- very embarassing
He wasn't neutered until he turned 2. he doesn't really mark at all any more. at agility trials, he'll lift his leg and nothing visible comes out but he knows he's supposed to be going potty before we go in the ring so I guess he's humoring me there.
Dixie- she's the one who can pee a trail over everyone else's pee.... but she's never gone in the house.

for the new class starting, can you get there early and let him acclimate before the actual class starts?
that helped with my rescue girl....

 

[ghggp]

Jocu was a marker. he would pee on every upright tree, bush etc.... I don't remember him doing it in the house but the pet store was a different story- very embarassing
He wasn't neutered until he turned 2. he doesn't really mark at all any more. at agility trials, he'll lift his leg and nothing visible comes out but he knows he's supposed to be going potty before we go in the ring so I guess he's humoring me there.
Dixie- she's the one who can pee a trail over everyone else's pee.... but she's never gone in the house.

for the new class starting, can you get there early and let him acclimate before the actual class starts?
that helped with my rescue girl....

GREAT IDEA to get there early!! I did that before and it REALLY helped him to adjust... Totally forgot... thanks for the reminder!

 

[Margi]

I just love that pic. I waited till 2 for Fillion, but then I didn't have any marking the house inside by him either. I think I would have tried to wait as long as possible anyway for the long term health of the dog. But that's just iffin on my part.

 

[Caro]

Oh dear, 3 boys in the house and one's an adolescent, I guess it was gonna happen. Kind of funny though.

 

[ghggp]

I just love that pic. I waited till 2 for Fillion, but then I didn't have any marking the house inside by him either. I think I would have tried to wait as long as possible anyway for the long term health of the dog. But that's just iffin on my part.

Yep, my gut is telling me to wait too...
Like I mentioned, he did try to hump both the boys a couple of times... But, since I put a stop to it he has not done it since...

Hopefully, since I caught him in the act of marking and scared the bejeebers out of him this morning, he will think twice before doing it again...
Hope springs eternal. Seems to be the consciences - two years...

 

[ghggp]

Oh dear, 3 boys in the house and one's an adolescent, I guess it was gonna happen. Kind of funny though.

he certainly was not happy with my reaction!

 

[Ann]

That is a gorgeous picture of Liam, Gloria! He is a very handsome boy.

Marking is one reason I don't have boys. They would have to stay intact to be shown, and the marking is something I can't deal with. (That and having girls in season too ! ) I have friends who tell me you can train out marking indoors, so maybe if you're vigilant as you were, you can get a handle on it. In my limited experience, it's tough. If he continues to do it, since he's more than a year old I think you'd be OK neutering him. In the "old days," all our boys were done by 6 months, and although I wouldn't do that now, none of mine ever had a problem with it.