Man hesitates to neuter his dog
Operation will make pooch better adjusted
<b>Q.</b> <i>There are two sweethearts in my life besides my wife and three daughters. They are my two pit bull terriers, Spanky, a black and white male going on 5 years old, and Tyson, a slightly smaller brown and white terrier who is 3. Tyson was neutered when he was very young. However, Spanky never had the operation. He is not aggressive and very well-adjusted.
I have spoken to several doctors who advise me to have the procedure. But I don’t want to hurt or traumatize my dog at his age. What do you think?</i>
<b>A.</b> Step up and neuter your dog. Dog Lady sides with the doctors. Overall, it would be better for you to snip Spanky.
We anthropomorphize our pets. We imagine they have human feelings about these things. Men, especially, wince when they think of neutering their male dogs. Trust Dog Lady. Spanky will never know what hit him — or snipped him. The neutering route is an easy outpatient surgery at the veterinarian’s office. Spanky will be a trifle tipsy afterward from the anesthesia but once he sleeps it off, your dog will be a better adjusted animal.
Spanky is in the prime of life at 5 years old. It is inhumane to keep him un-neutered in surroundings that do not encourage his frisky instincts. He’s got the hormonal drive to do what comes naturally.
Should Spanky roam your neighborhood looking for conquests? Do you want your pit bull sublimating all that sexual energy into other predatory pursuits? Of course not. Neutering your dog will help him stay sane in body and mind. The simple procedure also will keep unwanted puppies from proliferating.
<b>Q.</b> <i>I have a 3-year-old Labrador. I’ve had him since he was a pup. He’s really smart and just generally great. I enjoy walking him off the lead, in the local orchards and local woods. No problem, except when he sees another dog. He basically runs away, to play. When he’s had enough, he’ll come back. I want him to obey. My kids think I’m too soft with him, and he knows who the boss is. Any ideas?</i>
<b>A.</b> Why are you wondering about this behavior when the answer is obvious: Your dog enjoys canine company and will seek it out if he has the opportunity.
Dog Lady doesn’t believe this is bad because the dear Lab is doing what comes naturally. Any youngster would run away to play if given the chance. That’s why we keep our dogs on leashes and our children in sight.
Bring him to a dog park or to an enclosed area where you trust him off the lead when you want your dog to hang out with the same species. Call the Lab to you and train him to come in this off-leash environment. Otherwise, keep him tethered.
<i>Pet perplexed? Write doglady@askdoglady.com.</i>