Spay and Neuter your pets.

So there is a customer of Woofles and Meowz that came into the store with his wife and dog several months ago proudly displaying his remarkable new dog. This dog was already 9 months old and he was getting pressure from his wife and friends to get the dog "fixed" as there was some aggressive tendancies being exhibited. After a short conversation where I asked why he was against the procedure he suggested that by neuturing his dog it ..and I quote.."make him less of a man". "You mean..less of a stud dog" I countered. "Yeh, thats what I mean" he said with his wife rolling her eyes in the background.
"Well" I said.."it is fine if you plan on breeding this dog in controlled circumstances, with other pedigreed dogs in the hopes that you can offer the pups for sale after you have created enough space, time, vet prep, innoculations,community connections within that breed standard....."
"oh I guess it can't be that he does the business and comes back home?
At that point I took a hard look at him and said with full backbone up "you know, don't you that a stud dog has amny more needs and requirements than a neutered dog right?....it can be the dog will mark and be territorial towards male dogs and possibly aggressive to people who he feels the need to dominate...that includes your kids and wife right? Not to mention the stress of a dog that will be constantly in a state of need to mate right? The fact that the dog stills has it's "berries" has no connection or suggestion of lack of manhood in it's owner right?!??
He just looked at me.
"Seriously, dude, what is the deal? I went on..."what is YOUR connection to his balls...what makes his ability to breed..to carry on a line by amateur dog fanciers so important to you? Are you a dog show watcher?"
"No."
"Do you or have you ever bred dogs before?"
"NO"....he is starting to get angry now.....his wife is grinning ear to ear.
"See the babe behind you?? she's a total fox dude..and she picked you....yer ALREADY a stud! Get over it!! (sometimes being a redneck gay man lets me get away with murder)
Deal with the aggressive behaviour that your dog is showing and talk to a breeder (I gave him a name) and see what they say to do in regards to timing of the "fix."
I recommend that it is later than some other people say to do so providing you can adequately handle the emotional state for the dog up until then. Too early can also be a problem with regards to health factors.
Fast forward several months:
Here he is with his dog all grins and happy to report that his dog DID get some advanced training and he noticed that all the GOOD traits of the dog were kept and all the bad ones were for the most part culled after the neutering.
"Welllll DUH!!!! I couldn't resist as I fed the dog a big 'ol treat....good on ya!
"Yahhh " he said..."and I'm getting divorced!!
"WHAT?!??!??"
"Just kidding!"
well I was on the floor with laugher! He had let go of silly notions and was happy enough to zing me with a good joke.
Sometimes I love my work.....
The following is an article I read on this subject recently>>>

Bringing home a dog is the easy part. Taking care of and being responsible for the dogs in our care is the part that separates the responsible owners from the irresponsible ones. One of the most frequent topics that arise in alignment with responsible dog ownership is about spaying and neutering our dogs.
What I hope to accomplish in this short article is for you to determine when is the best time to spay or neuter your dog and the ramifications if you do not do this: both for the health of your dog and the responsibility you accepted just by bringing this dog home with you.
I really hope you'll read this all the way through and then understand that I am not against spaying and neutering but rather I'm about being responsible for all aspects of your dog's care. I've recently discovered from a veterinarian friend, that our animals are being spayed and neutered far too young for their long-term health and longevity. If we continue to neuter or spay them before they are fully mature the problems with immune-mediated diseases - due in part also to poor nutrition and overvaccinating – will only grow worse. Hormones are in our bodies and those of our dogs for a reason. Hormones play key roles in the overall health and longevity of the life of our dogs. Therefore it just makes sense that neutering or spaying too young could certainly lead to long-term health problems in our dogs.
What I am not saying here is to forgo the responsibility of spaying and neutering your pet animals. Really I think that breeding should be left up to the responsible, ethical breeders who care about the structure, health, temperament, and so on of the breeds they are breeding. I do not think the average person who has a purebred or mixed breed dog should breed their dogs. I also feel that the responsible thing to do is to neuter or spay our dogs to alleviate the needless euthanasia and waste of animals that end up in shelters. The only thing I am questioning here is when they should be spayed or neutered. I believe dogs need to mature fully before being spayed or neutered to insure their long-term good health. If we neuter a giant breed male dog at six months for example, rather than at eighteen months to two years, we are almost insuring this dog will have structural or joint problems fully manifested by age six or seven thereby effectively shortening the quality and length of the dog's life.

This does fly in the face of what we're being told now by shelters and rescues but again, part of that is propaganda being taught at all levels of animal husbandry. Rather than turn this article into a political statement I'd rather focus on the positive reinforcement of responsible dog ownership. Before bringing a dog home, determine the best possible age for spaying or neutering your dog in advance so you will be prepared to protect your pet prior to being spayed or neutered. For help on this subject go to Dr. John Symes, DVM website at www.dogtorj.net . He can help you to determine the best age for you to neuter or spay your breed of dog. Remember though, it will be up to you to make certain your dog is contained in an area where he or she cannot propagate their species: meaning not being able get out or loose to breed. Once your dog reaches maturity then spaying or neutering would be the right course of action on your part.

http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_responsibility_of_dog_ownershi#ixzz0HhIInoNp&C

Spaying and neutering your animals.

Recently I was reading in the "Bark" magazine that the BCSPCA puts out and it was explaining some reasons and facts on animal reproduction.
I particularly like the simple math equation that says :
At two litters a year and six kittens per litter an unspayed cat can produce in seven years....wait for it......420,000 cats!!!
I am all for taking care of your animals and if still undecided there are a few question and answers that the American humane society was very happy to answer:

WHAT IS IT??
Spaying is a general term used to describe the ovariohysterectomy of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the castration of a male animal. However, neutering is used in reference to both genders. The surgical procedure, performed by a veterinarian, renders the animal incapable of reproducing. Here are answers to some questions you may have about this beneficial procedure.
When can I have this procedure done?
Both procedures can be performed as early as six weeks of age. American Humane is a strong proponet of "early" neutering since this guarantees that the animals will not be able to breed and populate within a community.
Why should I have my pet neutered?
Animal shelters, both public and private, unfortunately are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs and cats that they cannot find homes for. Estimates across the country indicate that over 10 million animals will be humanely euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough homes. Having your pet neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.
What are some of the health benefits?
Through neutering, you can help your dog and cat live a happier, healthier, and longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing that is a sign that a cat is in heat. Castration stops the mating drive in males, reducing the urge to roam, which in turn, reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning, accidents, and contracting diseases. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will get along better if they are neutered.
A long-term benefit of neutering is improved health. Early neutering nearly eliminates breast cancer, and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine and testicular cancer.
Isn't it true that you only need to "fix" female dogs or cats?
Absolutely not! A male animal can father thousands of offspring in his lifetime. Roaming tomcats fighting other cats are a neighborhood nuisance and are prone to develop infections and abscesses from their fighting. An intact male may also develop the bad habit of marking its territory by urine marking.
Neutering just costs too much!
The cost of caring for a pet, including providing veterinary care, should be considered before acquiring an animal. If you would like to provide a good home for a pet, but cannot pay for the neuter, call your local animal shelter. They will be happy to provide information on low-cost neutering. The costs of having a litter are often more than the cost of neutering. There could be complications requiring hospitalization or surgery. You will be faced with finding homes or keeping the offspring yourself or placing more animals into your local shelter. The cost of the well-being of not just your companion animal but of future generations should be considered.
Can't I allow my purebred dog to have just one litter?
Mixed breed or purebred -- there just aren't enough homes. Animal shelters receive purebred animals everyday. Responsible purebred breeders have homes for their dogs before they are born.
I don't even own a pet! Why is this my problem?
All of us are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to round up lost, abandoned, and unwanted pets. Much of that money is spent to destroy these animals when homes cannot be found. Health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases, including rabies, animal bites, and attacks. Property may be damaged and livestock killed when pets roam in search of food. Animal waste, proving a serious environment hazard, foul yards and parks. It is only when all of us assume the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see any decrease in the problem.
Isn't it wrong to deprive an animal of the natural right to reproduce?
No, it's wrong to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring that are eventually killed because there aren't enough responsible homes.
If I find homes for my pets' litters then I won't contribute to the problem, right?
Wrong. Only a certain number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet's offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter.
Shouldn't every female pet have at least one litter before being spayed?
No. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures. Her personality will not improve either. She is just as likely to become less social and more aggressive after having a litter, as she is to become calmer and gentler.
Shouldn't children experience the miracle of birth?
No. A more important lesson to teach your child would be responsible pet ownership and concern for life by explaining why their pet should not have babies.
Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personality?
No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and become calmer; though not less protective of their territory.
Won't animal shelters take care of the surplus animals?
No. Shelters do their best to place animals in loving homes, but the number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of available homes. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem.

I think there are probably many more questions but if in need please feel free to contact your local SPCA.

WOOF!!!!