GWPSage
Trained
Back in the saddle again
Posts: 201
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Post by GWPSage on Aug 25, 2004 20:46:44 GMT -5
I was told by a respected trainer and behaviorist that I should not spay my 2yo female. She has had a history of biting... He said "There is a study from Cornell University that states what trainers have always known, spaying an aggressive female makes her more aggressive." Is this true? I have searched for the study he was referring to and have been fruitless in my search. Everything I have found simplay states that spaying a female does not alter the dogs behavior as does neutering a male. Any suggestions? For the health of my dog I am having her spayed. Just wanted some feedback... Thanks
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Post by ripley on Aug 25, 2004 21:02:19 GMT -5
Hmmm. Hard to say. I had an aggressive female that I spayed, and her temperament did not change at all....
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Post by Aussienot on Aug 26, 2004 0:44:17 GMT -5
That's a new one. I've read a lot of the Cornell stuff on Aggression and have never seen anything about spaying increasing aggression. Nor have I ever heard other trainers say it, so I must not be one of the trainers 'in the know'.
People aggression is caused by pack rank issues and dog temperament. Neutering males helps some of the behavior issues, which may help in sorting out the pack rank issue. Females with rank problems are less testosterone driven, so spaying does less to affect their behavior.
A spayed female in a pack with one or more entire females might become self-defensively dog aggressive, but I think that's an entirely different issue.
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Post by Nicole on Aug 26, 2004 6:32:35 GMT -5
I have actually read that somewhere ages ago, but my best recollection is that it is a myth with no proven basis.
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Post by amyjo on Aug 26, 2004 7:40:23 GMT -5
The only thing I can think of is what Aussienot said...there could be major issues if you spay a ranking female and leave sub dominant females in the same pack intact. Specially if there are already some aggression issues.
Simple, safe, responsible solution? Spay 'em all!
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Post by Willow on Aug 26, 2004 10:34:11 GMT -5
I have never heard that either, but I feel it's not always any "one" thing that causes aggression. It can be different things with different dogs.
Since I have been looking into homeopathic treatment for my dogs, I have heard of many dogs aggressive issues being solved by:
1. Diet. Feeding a S.A.D. diet. (Species Appropriate diet) or in other words: Raw Meaty Bones 2. Not giving any more vaccinations and 3. treating them homeopathically for "vaccinosis", because it has been proven that the Rabies vaccination, especially, can and often does, cause aggression in dogs.
All of the above have to be instituted for the best results.
One other thing too, is to have the 6 panel thyroid test done to see if your dog has thyroid problems, which can also cause a dog to become aggressive.
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GWPSage
Trained
Back in the saddle again
Posts: 201
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Post by GWPSage on Aug 26, 2004 16:22:08 GMT -5
Let me shed a little more light one what Sage and I are dealing with. Sage is the dog who had absolutly no human contact until I got possession of her at 6months of age. She is a GWP, very high energy. After I got rid of her terrible foot fungus (Smelled like thrush in a horses foot) we visited Petsmart DAILY. We even sat in the adoption groups as long as they would let us. After our initial trip there which ended in my carrying Sage out of the store, our visits were without incident. Then I decided to move back to AZ, the plane ride was a little hecktic. We stayed with my sister and her husband for a short time, which was too long. Within two months Sage bit for the first time. I have always felt threatened by her husband, he was doing something stupid and I reached out to grab my nephew as he was moving forward. Sage took a full mouth bite on the back of his calf. About a month later she struck him again while he was in the yard, he was carrying a bb gun. I think there was some connection with the gun, though I never saw him point it at her. I relocated Sage was about 2 months without incident and bit my friends daughter who was agitating her dog. She was sitting on the floor, Sage jumped a half door and bit her on the calf. (friend has a JRT) Then 4 weeks later Sage bit the same girl as she was sliding down a pile of sawdust. :: Sigh :: The list goes on. I am usually present when Sage has bitten, only on one occasion I wasnt and she bit my niece who failed to follow instructions to stay in the house. Sage bit her while she was petting Conka (My GSD) There are two other incidents where Sage has bitten someone. One of which I feel was kinda justified but it wasnt. How do I fix this? (I know there are no quick fixes) LOL I was asking the "trainer" this same question and the response was dont spay her. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Post by Brooke on Aug 26, 2004 21:21:02 GMT -5
I'd like to know more about how she is acting right before the bites? Are you noticing where her ears and tail are? Any other warning signs? Tenseness? Ducked head? Snarling, grumbling or growling? Right now it sounds like she's kind of a stray bullet. Does she seem skittish at all? Has she broken skin in a bite? As for the other stuff, I would ask your trainer to find you a copy of that research since you can't find it yourself. While some of what people here are saying makes sense there are way more chances of it helping than there ever will be of it causing more problems. Statistics speak for themselves. Personally I agree with Amyjo. If there are these issues in the house then all dogs should be spayed.
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