Will castrating my dog change his personality?

Will castrating my dog change his personality?

Castrating your dog is a very responsible thing to do as a dog owner. I will clarify the terminology a little bit, because sometimes the term ‘castrate’ can be applied to both male and female dogs.  Female dogs who are ‘castrated’ will undergo a procedure commonly called a spay. During this procedure, the ovaries and uterus will be removed. This will prevent unwanted litters of puppies and can also prevent certain types of cancer, including mammary (breast) cancer.  Castration in males is also known as a neuter. The testicles are removed in this procedure. Neutering can also prevent some types of cancer, like prostate cancer and hypertrophy.

Spaying and neutering typically does not cause a change in the dog’s personality. If your dog has been ‘intact’ for more than a year, you may find that he or she is slightly more ‘mellow’ after the castration. The hormone levels in dogs can run quite high during certain times.  Females will go into “heat” once or twice a year. The levels of high hormones can make them restless, anxious and sometimes aggressive. Male dogs are often driven by their testosterone (produced in the testicles) to want to wander in search of a mate. Many male dogs are lost because they break out of the house and wander away or are hit by cars. Some owners notice that their dogs want to stay around home more often after the castration procedure.

Spay and neuter procedures are conducted under general anesthesia. This ensures that the dog feels no pain and will not remember the procedure. Your pup may be a little ‘sore’ for a few days but will not hold a grudge against you. He or she will not associate being castrated with you. After the procedure, he or she will be glad to be back in your arms and out of the vet’s office – and life will go on as if nothing ever happened!