I`m having real concentration issues (whining etc.) with Murphy (complete 14 months old) whilst gundog training/around other dogs. The trainer suggested that chemical castration MIGHT alter his behaviour without being permanant and before resorting to castration. I`m hesitant to give it a go, what are the pro`s and con`s?
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration I don't know a huge amount about it but from what I do know these things occur to me... I'm not sure why your trainer would link hormones to whining unless its to do with getting to the ladies. It's reversible so if you'd rather keep him intact that's a plus however I think it takes a while before it really starts working. As to your problem, my young boy was similar almost to the point of obsession with certain dogs(and still can be). I had to take him out of class to give us both a break!!! I worked hard on exercises to get him focussed on me, silly things like hand touches and look at me. We worked in a less distracting environment and after a while with less distracting dogs. I think 6 weeks later we were back in class and more recently he was able to do a class that contained the absolute apple of his eye. He still wanted to stare at her endlessly but retrieved when asked so I was happy. I considered chemical castration too but went for the training option as my boy is a bit of a wet blanket and I think he does better with his hormones still in place. I'm pretty happy with my choice and Riley is doing really, really well. He's done his first days shooting and won the end of year scurry at training.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration I'm also not sure why the behaviours you describe are linked to having an intact dog - my intact dog whines (not hugely badly, he doesn't scream at least), but I doubt it's because he's intact - I have heard that once before though. The solution is careful management of his excitement levels, and it is getting much better, I doubt having him castrated would make any difference at all. I also have problems with my dog concentrating but it's nothing to do with the ladies. He just wants to play. The solution is training, and a huge push on my dog paying attention to me around other dogs. Again, I've never thought that castration would help.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration Somewhere I think there is a link to an article about chemical castration. I was under the impression it had to be done at a young age and sounded permanent unless it was a different type of chemical castration. I will try and find it. ??? If you go on the main website there is an article about castration. Unfortunately the only behaviour guaranteed to change after castration is the desire for the ladies. :
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration I found the article but sorry I'm rubbish I can't do links. If you go on the health board then put chemical castration in the search at the top of the page it will bring up a link to the thread 'Interesting article on chemical castration' Pippa posted at the start of the thread a link to a Victoria Stillwell article. It's about a particular drug used in chemical castration.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration Oh, yes - I thought the OP was maybe referring to the drug Suprelorin. This is a temporary suppression of testosterone. It's common to use it in show dogs who get distracted by the ladies in the ring (if your bitch has qualified for Crufts, I guess you are going, season or not...). I've recently heard it discussed at gundog class in terms of it allowing an owner to see how a dog would be if castrated. It doesn't sound like a bad idea, in general, anyway - although I know nothing about side effects etc. The permanent version is Zeuterin, and is a permanent non surgical chemical castration.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration Thanks Julie. I figured there must be a temporary drug from what's been discussed but I hadn't heard of it. I might look into the temporary one as it might be useful to see if castration would have an effect on my two without putting them through a permanent operation. My concern with castrating my dogs is the fact they are so nervous and removing the testosterone could make it worse. However if it had any calming effect and possibly suppressed their level of reactivity it would be worth doing. ???
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration As others have already said I don't think chemical or permanent castration will have the slightest affect on concentration levels and whining. Only training will make a difference. [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9213.msg132214#msg132214 date=1419361843] Oh, yes - I thought the OP was maybe referring to the drug Suprelorin. This is a temporary suppression of testosterone. It's common to use it in show dogs who get distracted by the ladies in the ring (if your bitch has qualified for Crufts, I guess you are going, season or not...). [/quote] Doesn't matter what a bitch has qualified for, Crufts or IGL retriever championship, if she is in season she can't go.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration The only behaviour which altered when I had my Lab castrated was that he didn't pee anymore when bringing the retrieve back! I do know of someone who does temporary chemical castration, trains the dogs, then lets them go back to being male again, she finds that very successful.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration I've been briefly reading up on Suprelorin. What I've managed to find so far says the only research done has been into change of libido. There has been no investigation into changes in behaviour.
Re: Temporary Chemical Castration Sorry yes I was thinking of chemical suppression rather than full castration I hadn't appreciated that there was a permanent chemical castration option and my comments were all to do with Suprelorin.
