Spaying???

[Bonniesmummy]

Hi all... I have decided not tgo breed my bitch and want to get her spayed! I am aware of some of the benefits to having her spayed but what I want to know is 'what will spaying do to her character? will she be more calm, will she have any behaviour issues? Ive heard that it helps them not to roam - is this accurate?

any advice appreciated xxxx

[Caryll]

Well, I've only ever spayed for health reasons (pyometra) and I can honestly say she was just as scatty afterwards as she was before!

I can't see that it would affect roaming, because the hormones don't affect a bitch in the same way they do a dog.

How old is she by the way?
If she's young, I would advise letting her at least have one season, but preferably waiting til she's about 2 years old so that her full character can come out. Just my opinion.

[stillalsations2me]

Lucy is my first female dog so not a lot of experience but I read all I could find about pros and cons, of spaying and decided not to just yet.

She didn't have her first season until she was 18 months old, I was starting to think I had missed it or it was very light but apparently its not that uncommon for it to be that long, she is now 21 months.

Lucy was very hard work as a pup very high prey drive and endless energy and didn't seem to be able to control it, its hard to explain but since her season almost immediately she changed for the better, her drive and energy remain the same but it is more controlled and she responds better to her commands, its like she grew up and started to respect and appreciate.

As for roaming she never has really and still doesn't, like you I have no intention of breeding her but from my small amount of experience I would definitely let her have at least one season If she hasn't already. maybe she would have matured and grown correct physically if I had her spayed at 6 months but I don't think so!

[Caryll]

Pneuma was spayed by her previous owner before her first season (just over 5 months old) and she is still extremely 'puppy-ish'. It's hard to explain, but she just doesn't seem to have matured, mentally, since then. She is also quite nervous at times, but I don't know if that's down to the early spaying or if she'd have been like it anyway. She's also very leggy & lightweight & my vet said that this is often a result of early spaying.

[Bonniesmummy]

Bonnie is 7 months and a handful! in the past few months everything I have taught her has gone out the window - she seems to have fogotten her manners and all that she has learned. She barks when anyone comes near the house, rings the bell, postman kids.... anything. I think this is a protective thing she is doing. The main problem I have is she has no recall whatsoever so its very hard to go anywhere to let her safley off leash. I have found a country park near me which she loves going to and there are many people with dogs around........ she loves a stick so is so focused on that, that she doesnt bother with the dogs around her which is great as she used to bark at dogs all the time. She has barked twice at people, one was a young boy and the other a guy just walking with his partner - don't know why she did this.

Anyway.. back to my original question (sory for the rant lol )
I have been told by my vet and also the PDSA (they were doing a visit at our pet store) that it is best to get a bitch spayed before she comes into season as the health benefits e.g cancer's etc outweigh everything else . Also I live in a street FULL of male dogs! 3 directly next to me (1 is her brother) and I know that a male will do anything to get to her!

I really just wondered if it would help her behaviour to change - I don't think she see's me as the leader anymore, more like she is on the same level NOT GOOD !

Thank's guys

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by AUDREYSPENCER2003

I really just wondered if it would help her behaviour to change - I don't think she see's me as the leader anymore, more like she is on the same level NOT GOOD !

Thank's guys

I'm afraid that's nothing to do with whether she's spayed or not. It's just her starting to go through the dreaded 'teenage' months - know everything, listen to nothing! The only thing that will combat this is back to basics with training.

It seems that nearly all vets nowadays advise spaying before the first season, despite the drawbacks I mentioned above. Early spaying does not allow the character to come out fully. The bitch does not 'grow up' and will often not become confident or calm down. Growth is often altered.

This article may be of interest to you.........
Spaying & Castration. Neutering Dogs

[Bonniesmummy]

Really? I thought it was the best thing to do for her... health wise that is. Thank's for the advice, I will read this artical too.

My friend has had GSD all her life but all male and never had one spayed so she cant really help on that front but she did warn me of the teenage stage! Gosh it's so hard! My 2 boys are easier to deal with lol BTW this is my 1st dog... I thought I was doing ok with her and then felt like I was a bad owner but I know that she having her adolesence time..... Going back to basics with training is so frustrating

Thank's again for the advice, I guess I have more to think about now. Im just really worried she will get caught as I really dnt want pups.... espically mixed breed ones!

[Caryll]

Well, of course, if the worse did happen the vet can always inject her & abort any pups that might happen. But obviously it's best to avoid this if possible.

As far as the 'back to basics' goes, though, it isn't really like starting ll over again, because she already knows it all. You just need to remind her who's boss again! Just be firm & consistant. Don't allow her to do something now & then tell her it's wrong tomorrow. The recall will come eventually but as I said, teenagers always think that they know best & you know nothing!(I know, I have two of em right now!)

[Bonniesmummy]

lol

I have read the article and it has really opened my eyes... I had no idea about any of this! I have sent it to my friend also who has a 5 1/2 month old male who was due to go in next month to get snipped!

I guess I'll just have to be VERY careful when she does come into season! Thank's so much... Im really glad I came here for advice 1st

[Caryll]

Stick around - it's a lot of fun as well as informative!!

AND you get to see lots of gorgeous pics of GSD's!