when to spay/neuter?

Throughout the years, I have often been asked this question, and usually my answer is met with an element of surprise; that is until I explain the logic behind it. But before I answer the question, I’d like to first take an in-depth look into the rationale behind the practice and timing of spaying/neutering – the pros and cons – and the consequences of the procedure within the context of Natural Law. 

For many years now, the nearly unanimous recommendation by veterinarians, animal control advocates, breeders, and humane associations has been to spay or neuter puppies as early as it is considered to be medically safe, but in any case, before the age of six months. Many human organizations and rescues won’t even permit a puppy to be adopted out until a sterilization procedure has been performed – a policy that leads to many puppies being spayed or neutered as early as 12 weeks of age. And while the primary intent of these types of policies and recommendations are clear and noble (an effort to reduce the number of unwanted companion animals), the result is unfortunately muddied by unintended and irreversible consequences.

Veterinarians, often cite the increased risk of cancer and intensified aggression that can occur in unaltered dogs, as additional reasons to consider spaying or neutering a dog before it attains full maturity. And while cancer in dogs is a serious worry, the health professionals that I have consulted advise that the increased risk of cancer is minimal if the procedure is delayed until after full maturity. Of course, the risk of cancer increases as the dog ages in an unaltered state, and this risk needs to be taken seriously. As to concerns of intensified aggression in unaltered dogs, and the practice of relying on a surgical procedure to squelch aggression, I am more than dubious regarding the concern, as well as the solution. In my 40-year experience, I have often been witness to cases of “aggression” in dogs that were altered at an early age, more accurately described as brat behavior in prematurely altered dogs. Unfortunately, in these cases, the problem that had been identified as aggression was actually a problem that resulted from a combination of lack of leadership and effective training.

So, before making any decision in haste – especially one with an element of irrevocability – I suggest that you carefully examine all the pros and cons. After all, once the procedure is performed, important hormones (estrogen and testosterone) that impact both physical and mental development are lost forever, and, unfortunately, the resultant damage cannot be fixed. 

Estrogen and testosterone are hormones that are essential in not only providing your dog with the ability and desire to procreate, but also to appropriately develop and mature into an adult. And believe me, no matter how charming you think your puppy is now, your ultimate goal is to have your puppy grow and develop into a mature, adult dog. Why? Because a mature, adult dog possesses mental capacity and focus that a puppy or immature adult lacks.

By nature, puppies have notoriously short attention spans. And, almost by definition, puppy-like behavior is cute, but often rude and disrespectful. Actions that are considered adorable in a puppy often lose their allure when conducted by an adult dog. Behaviors like chewing, barking, and housebreaking accidents are somewhat tolerated and expected in a puppy, but they quickly become exasperating when the offender is an adult dog. And while training can help a dog that has developed undesirable behaviors, if the dog has been neutered or spayed prior to developing the full mental capacity and focus that comes with maturity, the potential and effectiveness of the training will be negatively compromised.

So, when is the best time to spay or neuter your dog while taking into account all the pros and cons? When the dog’s hormones have finished their work to develop your dog into an adult, both physically and mentally. For males, this occurs when they consistently raise their hind leg to urinate, and for females, after their first season.

And in the meantime, while you are waiting for your puppy to grow into a mature adult dog, don’t overlook the importance of effective training during this crucial period of life. The Natural Law Evolved™ Canine Training Program is an invaluable tool to aid in this endeavor, as it has done the work for you. In development for four decades, it applies scientific techniques that are proven to be effective. It teaches you how to establish or re-establish, yourself as the leader of your pack through natural methods that your dog will quickly understand. As the pack leader, it is your job to fix problems by dictating solutions. Natural Law Evolved™ uniquely marries proven canine training techniques with a deep understanding of canine behavior to provide you with   comprehensive, solid, and long-lasting solutions to all your canine problems.