He should adjust in time to losing his companion. However long that takes is questionable though and he will continue to be angry and feel neglected and reflect that anger with destruction just out of loneliness. It may improve with time and may not. You have to ask yourself is this fair for your dog? I would spend nearly all my time with him when I was home taking walks, etc. and if you can't do more than 2 hrs. it may be best to find a better home for him where he has a better environment. If his new home is a better place where there is a yard to run, and owners that can spend more time with him he will gradually accept the new home and owners. I know that is hard but may be the best. When your living situation improves you may think about owning another dog.
Other than that, working 2 jobs leaves the dog alone too much to be fair so you need to get someone…the same person all the time... over to your apartment to spend time with him if you don't want to give him up. He can bond to that person and that will help the loneliness somewhat. If you decided to give him up, the new owners could come over frequently for walks and visits before you gave the dog to them so that the dog would consider them friends before adoption, that would help the dog transition. I would not give that dog to an inexperienced owner though. That could end in disaster. It will do the same things with the new owner although it should get over the transition quicker because it will be in a better environment. Also, was your husband the dog's leader? You now have to be a positive leader for him because it sounds like he lacks leadership.
Neutering to reduce anxiety?
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I think they are saying he'd be happier because he won't be a slave to his hormones…he'd be more balanced that way and less anxious when there is a dog in season.
To which I do honestly understand. But with a more balanced nature, the 3x risk of hypothyroidism could mean one problem fixed and one problem created.
That's how I look at it.
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In regards to him being unchanged with happiness, that's my point. If it makes no difference with him then why do some people say he will be happier?
With what i've read, these were the most common results in studies (to name a few):
-3x risk of hypothyroidism (my vet has also confirmed this with me)
-Increases the risk of progressive geriatric cognitive impairment
-3x risk of obesity
-Increases the risk of prostate cancer (albeit there's an obvious reduction in testicular cancer)
-Increases the risk of bone cancer
-General physical complications with the surgery (small percentage, but still a risk)I totally disagree with the 3x risk of obesity… my males that were neutered were never over weight, nor were my bitches. Basenjis are quite pre-disposed to hypothyroidism, neutered or not, spayed or not.... and while as said there are pros and cons on both side, you could make the case for each one of them on both sides of the fence. So it is up to each person to make the decision that works for them. For me, as a breeder, I am quite comfortable with my decisions to spay/neuter and to place all pets on spay/neuter contracts.
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I would like to know (honestly, I don't know) what health risks (aside from anesthesia) there are to neutering a dog. We can start a new thread, if you wish…but I am really curious.
This is a link that I found pretty interesting on this topic. BTW, I'm not advocating one way or another…I just found this article interesting.
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdfMy only opinion on this matter is this: as much responsibility as it is to have a pet - period, it is even that much more responsibility to have an intact animal…especially when it comes to making sure that it doesn't get free and isn't allowed to roam or run unsupervised...
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I totally disagree with the 3x risk of obesity… my males that were neutered were never over weight, nor were my bitches. Basenjis are quite pre-disposed to hypothyroidism, neutered or not, spayed or not.... and while as said there are pros and cons on both side, you could make the case for each one of them on both sides of the fence. So it is up to each person to make the decision that works for them. For me, as a breeder, I am quite comfortable with my decisions to spay/neuter and to place all pets on spay/neuter contracts.
Risk is simply that, it's risk. It varies by breed but the research done was with various breeds and multiple dogs.
I'm not in any way saying neutering is bad. My point is that leaving a dog intact is not 100% wrong. It's a marginal difference when you weigh our the risks and benefits for both cases. Some may say neutering imposes more risk, some may say leaving them intact imposes more risk.
I agree with you about going with what works best for them. For me, Kananga will never be out in the open on his own. There's no social risk. So it all comes down to behavior/health.
I don't fault anyone for their decisions, unless its a dead giveaway that it was a poor choice (i.e. leaving a male intact that is around intact females unsupervised and no intentions of breeding).
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This is a link that I found pretty interesting on this topic. BTW, I'm not advocating one way or another…I just found this article interesting.
http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdfMy only opinion on this matter is this: as much responsibility as it is to have a pet - period, it is even that much more responsibility to have an intact animal…especially when it comes to making sure that it doesn't get free and isn't allowed to roam or run unsupervised...
That is one of my sources of information.
Precisely.
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I do believe there is a way to chemically neuter your dog that is not a permanent thing. This might be worth a try if you're really wondering if neutering would change him. Of course I don't have any information on this, but i'm sure if you google "chemical neuter" something would pop up. And you'd probably have to travel to find a vet who is savvy about this.
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Kananga - when I leave my dogs alone in the house I use a CD on repeat. The CD is called 'Relaxation Music for your Dog'. It is very effective in keeping them calm. I think I got it from Crosskeys. The producers are Omnibus Media and their web address is www.musicsales.com I can also endorse the Dap which I have found effective in calming my dogs when necessary.
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Kananga - when I leave my dogs alone in the house I use a CD on repeat. The CD is called 'Relaxation Music for your Dog'. It is very effective in keeping them calm. I think I got it from Crosskeys. The producers are Omnibus Media and their web address is www.musicsales.com I can also endorse the Dap which I have found effective in calming my dogs when necessary.
Interesting. You know the long drive back I had when I initially picked him up (2 hour drive home) I had classical music playing which really put him into a deep sleep on the car ride. Ever since he's always calm around that same music.
I should give that a try.
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Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.
I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.
We'll see how the next few weeks go.
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Proof of the big smile (he only does this when he's had a long walk, so it's the first I've seen with no walk):
It's strange, he is acting differently. But in a good way.
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Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.
I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.
We'll see how the next few weeks go.
Day one of what? The DAP?
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wow, that Dap is something else. I will keep my fingers crossed that it keeps up.
Petra
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D'uh, music, of course. don't know why i didn't think of that. i've taught several control unleashed class and night one i recommend several cu compatable things, one of which is:
http://www.throughadogsear.com/
I have the book/cd combo and i assure my students that the cute basenjis on the cover had nothing (well, almost nothing) to do with me checking the book out from the library, which I later bought.
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Kananga - glad that the DAP seems to be working. If you do decide to go with the CD.
I checked and they are still available on crosskeysbooks.com - click Dogs-Dog Therapy CD page. -
While I agree with the reasons others have mentioned in favor of neutering, I am not convinced your dog's anxiety is hormone related. Personally I think continued use of the DAP along with some serious exercise to get rid of some of his tension would be the best route to take at this point. Another thing is to never make coming home or leaving home a big deal. I don't know how you handle either but many people make the mistake of "working the dog up" with a rousing goodbye or hello and this builds excitement or anxiety in a dog. If you are calm and give off good vibes the dog should pick up on this and it may help calm them also.
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Good thoughts Robyn… and that is true... the less you make out of coming and/or going the more they will think it is not a big deal... Mine rarely would get out of bed in the morning when I left for work..gggg and if they did, they would then go beg Dad to put them back under the covers....
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I'm pretty good about leaving. I simply walk out the door without saying anything. This morning I noticed he didn't even run to follow me out. Normally he was running to stop me, today that changed. I never heard him run after me.
Coming home he's always fairly calm. I do tend to give him attention when I get home but its nothing over the top. He'll simply walk over to me and wait for me to pet him. Doesn't jump or show any hyperactivity.
Perhaps I'll work on the coming home part. He does get plenty of exercise. He gets minimum about 45 mins worth of walking time on a daily basis. On top of that he'll get a 30-60mins walk at least a few times per week. He sleeps well and maintains a good weight.
Oddly enough his stools appeared firmer today. I find it hard to believe the DAP is already taking effect within 48 hours. I expected a few weeks before any results.
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I know its only day 2, but he is improving very well. (i'll wait another week and give you guys an update)
I figured I should note this on the 2nd day though…
His stools are increasingly firmer, his dander has reduced immensely to almost none now, he is much more vocal outdoors now (previously very quiet), destructive habits are non-existent still on day 2, and he is generally more relaxed.
I'm quite amazed at the progress only on 2 days now. It has been aprox. 48 hours since I originally plugged the diffuser in.
I can only hope things continue like this. I much appreciate the recommendations on the DAP.
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Well, it's been about a week now. Not a single piece of furniture has been chewed on. And I still have that small tear in my couch near the top that is easy access for him to pull out the stuffing (until I get it repaired and sealed). He has not attempted to unstuff that part.
It seems the DAP diffuser is working. Can't think of any other reason why his behavior would discontinue.
