Should I Castrate my Dog?

One of the most common pets in the world, and also the one most frequently castrated. Male dogs are very much driven by testosterone, and as such they can be aggressive and feel the need to assert dominance over the household. This can lead to the dog being a serious danger, especially to young people and the elderly. Castration can solve this, but a more humane (and cheap) alternative is simply to establish dominance over the dog the way another dog would.

When your pet starts to get ‘uppity’, grab them and hold them down on their back. You do NOT need to be rough, you simply need to hold them. In the case of larger animals you may find sitting on them helps too. Eventually, once your pet is worn out and is no longer thrashing with any real force, let them go. If they do attack again, but this time it is more playful, then play with them. This ‘carrot and stick’ approach will ensure your pet likes you, but is also aware that you are dominant. It may take a little time for this to occur though, usually no longer than a couple of weeks.

Some dogs though are very aggressive (especially some breeds bred for it), and will constantly fight you no matter how hard you try. In these cases, castration is serious consideration, but remember that castration alone will NOT make a model pet. You still need to care for, love and if necessary discipline your animal. Castration will make that possible; don’t castrate the animal just because it will make it easier.

Some breeds of fighting dog (such as pit bulls), and pedigree animals should always be castrated for their own protection. Many dogs are stolen every year and put into illegal dog fights, or kept as breeding animals in the case of pedigrees. Thieves will avoid castrated animals as they cannot be used for breeding, and their lower aggression makes them useless in a fight. Finally, no matter what breed of dog you have, consider castration if you have children in the house, as the dog may target them and not you for dominance, or your child may inadvertently anger the pet, which will respond far more aggressively if it is not castrated.

At the end of the day, castration is mutilation, and you need to decide if that mutilation is necessary for your pet, and your family’s well being. Consult your vet for more advise.

Do you own another pet that may need castration?

Rabbits.

Cats.

Rats.