The article you posted discusses the problem with neutering a dog too young. If you wait until they have reached sexual maturity, their hormones will help them grow properly. This is true.

However, in the long term the benefits of neutering greatly outweigh the risk. The risk of testicular cancer goes to near 0%, behavioral issues and aggression can often be addressed, etc. Unless you want to show or breed (breeding is a whole other debate) there is no need to have an intact male, IMO. Obviously, that is a matter of opinion.

As far as what you call "mastrubation"- it sounds like a boredom behavioral issue. I would up the amount of exercise he gets before and after work. Give him something to occupy his time, such as a kong filled with kibble or a bully stick. Something to occupy his time. It could also be a cleaning thing- some dogs like to stay clean. There doesn't seem to be anything sexual behavior wise in these actions. The physiological action occurs whether a dog is neutered or not- neutered dogs can even tie if they wanted to. It simply reduces that behavior by eliminating the hormones that encourage it. At what age was he neutered? This could be a behavior he had from before he was neutered.


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No way, I would never have that done. It seems really unnecessary to put your dog under just for a cosmetic procedure. I would rather save the money for a future vet bill.

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Thanks LS!

I read back over your previous posts. He is really a cute little guy and it is admirable that you adopted him from the pound. Since he is a rescue, when you mention showing him, I assume you mean in obedience trials? If that is what you had in mind, neutered animals are still eligible. And there is a special limited registration you can apply for if a dog is visibly a purebred which would at least allow you to show him in AKC sanctioned obedience trials. I do not remember the exact procedure, but you can check on the AKC website.

As for the neutering, I am beginning to wish I had waied until a later age to have my shepherd done as the article o gave a link to is not the first time I have read some of that information. For myself, I prefer to have pets neutered bu I might have waited later to do it.

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He was neutered at a year and a half.

I do not have papers but want to do obedience. I would love to do confirmation in small shows in my area but I think they are just for whole dogs..don't know if papers are required or not.

I have not shown in many years but I believe in order to do conformation at an AKC sanctioned show, the dog must be registered with the AKC. Makes sense because the conformation shows are meant to judge how close a dog comes to standard physically , thus deciding whether a dog is suitable for breeding or not. Since he is not registered, that is out, whether or not he was neutered.

But you can obtain a PAL/ILP number for a neutered, unregistered purebred from the AKC which would allow you to compete in companion dog events such as obedience and rally. Here is a link for information on how to do this:

American Kennel Club - Dog Registration Questions

It would be very cool if you did this. Chis are smart little dogs and there are many who do well in these events. Good luck if you decide to try it. It is great fun and I always enjoyed the folks I met at obedience trials. I found them to be. Little more relaxed than the folks doing conformation. Conformation showing is an expensive, time consuming thing to do.

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Goodness, this whole long thread about Chihuahuas and neutering. How amazing that not once has the word cojones cropped up in all the postings! Let's all remind ourselves that dogs are not people, and they suffer no serious psychological damage from loss of sexuality.

+ 1000

I completely agree.


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I completely agree!
Okay and I feel silly that I had to look up the word cojones! I guessed what it what it was before I looked it up but I had to look it up to make sure I was right.
I think some people think that dogs have a psychological problem with being neutered but I have never seen it. Sometimes Jaxx does like his private area but I think that is mostly him trying to stay clean. I personally think it is for the best especially if you have a dog that is going to be around other dogs (accidents happen and I would rather neuter a dog then have an unplanned litter of puppies) but I also think it is a personal decision.

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