Expert: Patti - 7/3/2009

Question
Hello, I am wondering if you get a male dog fixed before his first season
that it will prompt the dog to squat instead of lift it's leg? Also if you have
a 7 month old female dog that squats, would it "teach" the young male
puppy to squat also? I am asking this because I have a 7 month old
purebred female Rat Terrier and are probably going to get a purebred
male Rat Terrier from the same breeders we got our previous dog from.
The dog I have now and the dog were going to get are actually from the
same parents just born at a different time.

So me and my father would prefer the male puppy to squat rather than lift
his leg. So I am wondering if we get the male puppy fixed before his first
season that it will prompt him to squat because he never had to actually
lift his leg. Also, will the male puppy follow the older females way of going
to the bathroom, which is of  course squatting. Like I said me and my dad
really want the male dog to squat rather than lift his leg. Is their a way to
train him to squat? If so tell me.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Ashley,

Male dogs lift their legs- it's the way it's done, no matter your personal preference. You can't change that.

Males dogs don't "go into season", as female dogs do. They can be neutered at any time, preferably before their hormones kick in at around 6 months. Some animal shelters neuter dogs as young as 8 weeks old.

If you also have a female puppy, you're living on borrowed time. If you don't have one of your dogs altered really REALLY soon, she WILL get pregnant. Female puppies can have their first heat cycle anytime from age 7-9 months.

You should actually have both your dogs altered. Females gain the most in health benefits from being spayed before the onset of their first heat cycle. But neutering a male will make him less inclined to roam. If there is a female dog living anywhere near you, having an intact male dog in your home will drive you nuts, every-time that other dog goes into heat. Neutering your male dog will also prevent anybody else from having an unwanted litter of puppies. You wouldn't believe how many messages I get from people who's dog has "accidently" got pregnant. It happens all the time, no-matter how well meaning you are, and it's totally preventable.

Contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter to see if there are any reduced cost spay/neuter clinics in your area.

Best of luck,

Patti