One topic that keeps popping up with clients—both current and prospective—is neutering and spaying. It’s not a training issue; it’s a medical one. Yet vets still suggest this surgery as a “fix” for behavior problems.
I honestly don’t know how this became the norm. Back in the early 2000s, when I first started training, most people thought that idea was ridiculous. A few were already convinced that “responsible ownership = altering the dog.”
One case stands out: a two-year-old German Shepherd—anxious, fearful, reactive, and lanky. He had been neutered at six months because the vet promised it would “fix” his behavior. Of course, it didn’t.
That was probably my wake-up call. Ever since, I’ve advocated against spaying/neutering before maturity.
Twenty years ago, I only had practical experience to back me up. Some listened, others didn’t. Now, longitudinal studies (linked below) show that early de-sexing is tied to serious long-term health issues. That is, on top of not solving behavioural problems, the surgery performed before the dog had a chance to mature might actually result in physical issues.
And for those who ask: “But what about preserving the puppy personality?”
Here’s the truth: you got a dog. A living, breathing being with instincts, breed traits, and animal thoughts. Not a toy. Not a Disney character. The moment you took responsibility for a dog, you accepted that it would grow, mature, and develop its own traits. Hopefully, you researched them and chose a breed that fits your lifestyle.
The good news? Dogs are highly trainable and adaptable. If you’ve built a solid foundation from the start, maturity won’t turn your pup into a wild beast.
But if you treated it like a toy—expecting helplessness, docility, and submission—you’re in for trouble. And no surgery will fix that. Only training will.