A very agitated Bear - and effects of Suprelorin

Natalie

Natalie

Bear has always been quite a whiny, vocal dog, (he often commentates on what is going on outside while he watches out the windows,) but today was something else. He came back from his walk with our dogwalker, and I could hear him crying terribly, sat by the front door. I checked his mouth and paws, as it sounded like he was in real pain. He repeated it again a few minutes later, though was happy to take treats and drink water. It took him a good 40 minutes to stop panting and calm down and relax. Checking with the dog walker, he said there was a female dog on the walk (not sure if in season or not, I hope to goodness not) that he just wouldn't leave alone, so he had to go back on lead for some of the walk.
He's done this before with other dogs (male, castrated) and has had to be kept on lead as he bothers them so much.
Then there's poor Monty, who he tries to hump daily.
I know castration doesn't stop the humping per se, but it was upsetting to see him so physically distressed after a walk, and I wonder if his hormones are playing a huge part now in his over excitement and over stimulation - he can go from zero to completely over excited in just a second or so.

I haven't spoken to the vet yet, I have been seeing his excitement as a pure training issue in a high drive dog, but now, at 14 months, wonder if he might benefit from either a temporary implant, and then maybe potential castration in the future? Like @kateincornwall with Reuben, I had hoped to keep him entire, but not if he is making himself so upset around certain dogs and becoming a bit of a pest to those that he walks with?
I honestly got so worried today, I thought he was really injured / poorly.
 
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J

Jessica

I've no idea, I'm afraid, but didn't want to read and ignore it! I think if it is causing him distress - and Monty, who must be finding it difficult too - then it is worth exploring your options. But I have no practical advice or experience of this. Am sure someone more knowledgeable will have better advice!
 
M

M.F.

Snowie used to go crazy for certain female dogs. I joked then that I would remove his balls with my bare hands, he was impossible at times.

But he mellowed with age. He’s 9 now and such an easy dog most of the time. Unless a bitch is in heat, he doesn’t go crazy mounty anymore. He looks great and is very energetic—people often comment with surprise about his age. I wonder if it’s cos he’s still intact? (Could also be his diet of raw meat/fish and meaty bones, fresh fruit and veg, joint supplement.)

Perhaps give Bear and yourself a bit more time and wait and see?
 
Anne123

Anne123

Location
Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Finn who is castrated does this to other dogs, mostly bitches who are also spayed....It’s just that they seem to have an certain odeur around them which he very much likes...I once had him with a different dog walker and he told me that Finn had an awkward sense of mounting and sniffing on one particular bitch. I asked him if she was in season, he told me no, she was spayed. I asked the vet and some dogs do have some very nice smelling buts......
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
@Natalie I really do empathise , you could have been describing Reuben . I was determined to try and keep him entire but sometimes , it just is not possible . I took advice right left and centre before making the decision , it was not as easy one to make and caused me sleepless nights and tears, to say nothing of running the gauntlet of the anti castration brigade . With Reubs, it was getting worse to the point that I dreaded meeting other dogs and so I knew I had to do something, and quick before his behaviour became habitual . The way I see it is that no two dogs are the same , some cope really well being left entire , so good for them and their owners but others find the hormones difficult to deal with and become frustrated , deeply unhappy . The deciding factors for me were twofold , firstly how Reuben was with Carbon who valiantly coped with the constant attempts to hump by Reuben , and secondly when Anna told me that he was bothering some of the other dogs at Playgroup . There is no right or wrong , just arm yourself with all the information you can , ask for advice from your Vet , I wish you all the best whatever you decide xx
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Iver understands "stop bumming Rory" and "off" we have had different stages of excitement based sexiness as testosterone levels have changed I trained and distracted and things have got better. Tiredness and excitement seem to be a factor he's always been a humper 8weeks old and a grinder. He once humped Rory vigorously in front of 4 lanes of rush hour traffic. He only does it occasionally now he's also very loving ears are licked etc. When there's a bitch in season it's more difficult but manageable and at the moment theres a few about. He knows now it's a no no and responds quickly when I say off he's even started to check himself. I'm sorry it's upsetting you and him. Its spring and there are more bitches about who are in season also bears testosterone is probably rising so it's all a bit much, but being persistent and distracting does work. It's hard because it's emotionally hard for them. Rorys very patient but he will tell Iver off now and I let him. You may decide to castrate or not sometimes they do settle down. The crying is so sad a friend's male would not eat it seems to be hard on some boys than others. Rory was fine he only tried to hump Moo once and 14 year old Doug flew across the room and really told him off. Never did it again to any dog except for Poppy but she's a different story.
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Anne123 said:
Finn who is castrated does this to other dogs, mostly bitches who are also spayed....It’s just that they seem to have an certain odeur around them which he very much likes...I once had him with a different dog walker and he told me that Finn had an awkward sense of mounting and sniffing on one particular bitch. I asked him if she was in season, he told me no, she was spayed. I asked the vet and some dogs do have some very nice smelling buts......
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There's also the issue of retained ovary tissue which I think is more common than we realise. Also impacted anal glands oh and cancer my male dogs have always reacted to some forms of cancer this way. Castrating dogs very early can make them smell gorgeous too. There's a boy dog on our local park who caused a ripple of excitement with all the other male dogs castrated or not. He's an absolute sexy delight.
 
Natalie

Natalie

Bear has done nothing but hump pillows and throws ( and Monty where he can) for much of the afternoon. He can be distracted by food, which I think is good, but it's getting very wearing. It was just upsetting to see him so distressed by it too, rather than just accepting that he is being removed from another dog which is what normally happens.
He's 14 months now so has done most of his growing, I don't think it would be classed as an 'early' castration, though I think after 18 months he would be classed as completely adult? . Will see how the next few weeks go, I don't want to get to the point he can't be walked with other dogs, or god forbid, our dog walker decides he can't be walked or home boarded by them at all.
 
Jen

Jen

Location
Darlington,UK
Natalie said:
Bear has done nothing but hump pillows and throws ( and Monty where he can) for much of the afternoon. He can be distracted by food, which I think is good, but it's getting very wearing. It was just upsetting to see him so distressed by it too, rather than just accepting that he is being removed from another dog which is what normally happens.
He's 14 months now so has done most of his growing, I don't think it would be classed as an 'early' castration, though I think after 18 months he would be classed as completely adult? . Will see how the next few weeks go, I don't want to get to the point he can't be walked with other dogs, or god forbid, our dog walker decides he can't be walked or home boarded by them at all.
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Stanley was castrated at 12 months. I know they’re all different but there’s been no repercussions from it. He’s happy and healthy and if I could go back I would make the same decision again.
 
Ashley

Ashley

Natalie said:
Maybe I've got guilt at having Monty done too early at 6 months 🤷🏼‍♀️
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Having only girls, I have no advice but I also have major guilt over doing Quinn too early, so going for the whole first heat/at least 18 months this go, so I know what you mean! Things are changing here slowly, but it's still very much pushed for both genders to be spayed/neutered at 6-8 months, and most dog walkers, daycares and boarding require both genders done at 6 months!
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
Lilly was spayed at 6 months. It seemed like a good idea at the time, bit I have always wondered whether her hips would have been such an issue if we hadn't.
Probably little impact given her diagnosis was before she was 12 months, but with a bit more experience now, I would have left it longer.
 
Anne123

Anne123

Location
Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Natalie said:
Bear has done nothing but hump pillows and throws ( and Monty where he can) for much of the afternoon. He can be distracted by food, which I think is good, but it's getting very wearing. It was just upsetting to see him so distressed by it too, rather than just accepting that he is being removed from another dog which is what normally happens.
He's 14 months now so has done most of his growing, I don't think it would be classed as an 'early' castration, though I think after 18 months he would be classed as completely adult? . Will see how the next few weeks go, I don't want to get to the point he can't be walked with other dogs, or god forbid, our dog walker decides he can't be walked or home boarded by them at all.
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It’s all up to how Bear is emotionally. Finn was 16 month when he was castrated. For Finn I must say that he was too young. Due to circumstances he had to be castrated for he was otherwise not accepted in a kennel for a few weeks while I was in a clinic in Germany. They didn’t accept entire dogs, so we had to.....
Emotionally he was a small puppy with anxiety problems, fears etc. The castration made it only worse...

why don’t you try chemical castration and see how he reacts?
 
Charlie

Charlie

Location
Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Poor Bear I feel for him, it's just the same as a human feeling frisky and being told to naff off!! I just don't get hanging on to them if you're not going to breed. Not only do they look so ugly but it just causes frustration for some boys. This is exactly why I would never buy a male puppy. Charlie came from the rescue centre neutered at 6 months, we got him at 9 months so I did not have to make the decision, thankfully. I know some rescue centres are changing their policy on neutering but I really don't feel that's a good idea either. Purely my personal opinion and I know many of you will disagree so no jumping all over me please. :*

You will make the right decision for Bear, but as @kateincornwall says, arm yourself with knowledge and a chat with your vet. This is clearly upsetting you Natalie, is it worth it? xx

Australia has this nailed!
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Bear is going to be a bit unsettled for a day or two. I might be tempted to re-think your walking/exercise regime for Bear, going out with a solo dog walker might be better for him right now.

The implant will shut down all the male hormone receptors, so just like neutering it's best to wait until Bear is physically and emotionally fully grown. We waited until Benson was 20 months old before he had the implant which for him was a good age.
 
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