Temporary Castration - Factsheet

We see many young male dogs, usually about nine months of age, who have decided that 'recall' is not for them. Fraught owners tell stories of running miles in the rain and mud to catch up with their wayward 'children.'

The reason for this behaviour however is simple: the testosterone kicks in and the 'teenager' decides to try out just how much he can get away with from his 'parents'. Cast you minds back to your own adolescence – it was probably a similar story when you tried staying out that little bit later, or went to places your parents disapproved. At what point did your parents snap back? And yet, after a while you probably settled down to become a sweet pleasant sociable human being.

That is what your young male dog is doing now!

There are three possible approaches:

ONE: Do nothing. Get a stout pair of walking shoes and waterproofs. He will get over it, and you will get extra fit!

TWO: Get him castrated to remove that testosterone. This is a bit drastic for many people, and not necessarily the long-term answer. Neutered male dogs tend to become obese, which puts pressure on the joints so arthritis sets in early. This is of particular concern for larger dogs like Labradors and German Shepard Dogs.

THREE: Temporarily take control by reducing the surging hormones and implementing a strict discipline to confirm that you are still the boss. This approach is proving a Godsend to many. We simply give the dog a shot of an anti-testosterone injection called Tardak®. It is safe, has no side effects and doesn't alter the dog's personality in any way. It wears off after a month or two by which time your teenager has progressed to being the upright pillar of canine society that you desire.

The use of Tardak® can also help you decide what your dog will be like after castration, but without having to take the irreversible step of having the operation done.

If you think that castration is not for you (or him!), and you are frustrated by the hopeless yelling and calling every walk, then give us a call.