Among the slew of topics you and your veterinarian probably discussed during your puppy’s first appointments, the future neuter was likely a big one. You and your veterinarian may have agreed on the best time for your puppy to get neutered based on his size, breed and lifestyle. Now you are dutifully waiting for the agreed-upon time to schedule the surgery.
But puberty, and the testosterone that comes with it, can sometimes throw these plans awry. That’s because in some dogs, testosterone can lead to these problematic behaviors:
- Marking indoors: Many male dogs (and even some female dogs) like to grace every vertical surface in the yard and neighborhood with their urine. But you know this hobby has gone too far if your puppy feels the need to mark indoors as well.
- Excessive humping: This embarrassing habit is actually completely normal, as long as it is occasional. Incessant humping, however, is likely to become rather bothersome quickly.
- Escaping and roaming: The lengths that unneutered male dogs will go to find a female dog in heat can be incredible. This means jumping fences or digging out of backyards. If your dog is escaping often, not only is he putting himself at risk of getting lost or hit by a car, but his amorous adventures may also be contributing to pet overpopulation.
- Aggression: There are many possible reasons a dog might become aggressive aside from testosterone. But even if testosterone isn‘t the main cause, it can certainly aggravate the issue.
The longer your puppy displays any of these behaviors, the more likely they are to become permanent habits. So be sure to reach out to your veterinary team to report any concerning behavioral changes. If your veterinarian thinks the changes are testosterone related, an earlier neuter time might be recommended.
There is one caveat: Although neutering helps stop or diminish these habits in many dogs, there is no guarantee that it will. For some dogs, these behaviors are completely unrelated to puberty or hormones.
Find out more about aggression in dogs and how it can manifest itself in your puppy.
