AboutPatti Expertise To date, I've owned 7 dogs, all of which have lived into old age.
Having cared for them in all stages of life, I feel I can offer sound advice to other pet owners, and people considering getting a dog.
I am knowledgeable about the AKC (American Kennel Club) dog breeds, training and exercise, caring for sick and elderly pets, feeding, as well as many holistic treatments pets can benefit from.
My only request is that you write me using standard English and punctuation.
Experience My life experience in this field is more like "on the job training" rather than an actual degree in animal welfare. You may benefit from my experiences over the past 30 years.
Aside from the dogs I've owned, I'm also involved in "breed rescue" and have fostered several dogs, all of which have been adopted to wonderful "forever homes".
I find helping people who want a dog very rewarding.
Question We have a new puppy and she is 7 months old. She is not spayed and our
biggest concern is with her behavior. What should we expect behaviorally from
her if we decide to spay or not spay her?
Answer Hi Nicole,
Your dog will gain health benefits by being spayed before her first heat cycle. We all want our pets to live long and happy lives, and you can help with that by spaying your dog! In my opinion the health benefits your dog will gain are the most important reasons for spaying. Spaying will prevent:
* False pregnancies (increasingly common with age)
* Decreases the incidence of breast cancer (less than 1% incidence in animals spayed before their first heat, versus higher than 50% incidence in intact female dogs over 5 years of age)
* Eliminates the chance of developing a serious and potentially fatal infection of the uterus experienced by many mature unspayed dogs, called Pyometra.
* Totally prevents tumors of the ovaries or uterus.
* Spay surgery also eliminates the heat cycle and associated mood swings and undesirable behaviors
Once your dog is spayed, you'll never have to deal with the attraction of every available male dog to your yard, the spotting that occurs during the heat period or unwanted pregnancies. Spaying greatly increases the lifespan of your dog, and increases quality of her life as well.
Usually the behavior changes that accompany this procedure are for the better. It seems to make dogs a little more manageable and less headstrong at times. Aggression can be lessened after spaying, which your dog may or may not display. Your dog will be the exact same loving pet she is now. Spaying does not change a dog's temperament, or make her fat or lazy. Those are myths.
You're living on borrowed time with an unspayed 7 month old dog. I urge you to have your dog spayed at quickly as humanly possible (if not faster). With so many important things to be gained, it would be such a pity to lose this small window of opportunity.
