| 1. You love your dog and want him to live a long, healthy life. Spaying and neutering reduces the risk of certain types of cancers and infections, especially if it is performed prior to the first heat in females and before puberty in males.
2. You are concerned about pet overpopulation and don't want to contribute to the tragedy of so many dogs dying homeless.
3. You are a self-assured, confident individual and don't need your dog's genitalia to boost your self esteem.
4. You don't want to put your female through the risks associated with motherhood.
5. You want your dog to live a happy life free from stress and frustration. Intact males can smell females in heat miles away. They are in constant state of frustration when triggered by their sexual hormones but not able to do anything about it.
6. Neutered males are easier to control and less aggressive. "The majority of dog bites are made by intact males."
7. Spayed females are more stable and even-tempered. The female reproduction cycle lasts 6 months. During that cycle the dog goes through frequent hormonal changes that directly influence her behavior. Think of it this way: The premenstrual cycle (PMS) of a female dog lasts several months.
8. You support rescue and want to set a good example.
9. You like your house clean. Spaying eliminates the possibility of getting blood stains on your couch, floor, bed, etc. when your female has her heat cycle. Neutering reduces eliminates marking behavior both indoors and out.
10. Accidents happen! Dogs don't wear condoms. |
1. Just one litter and then we'll have Daisy spayed. Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation issue stems from the "just one litter" mentality.
2. My dog doesn't run loose, so he doesn't need to be fixed. Murphy's Law says otherwise.
3. We always find homes for the puppies.
And that means that an equal number of puppies at the pound will be euthanized.
4. I want the children to witness the miracle of birth. Rent a video.
5. My dog is so cute and unique, there should be more of her. The shelters and pounds are full of cute and unique dogs, most with only a few days to live.
6. It's not natural.
There hasn't been anything "natural" about dogs since we began to develop breeds thousands of years ago.
7. I just couldn't look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated.
Watch it, you're anthropomorphizing. Remember, real men have their own.
8. A female dog should have at least one litter for health reasons. Medically, factually and ethically indefensible.
9. Neutering my dog will make him fat and lazy. Too much food and not enough exercise make a dog fat and lazy.
10. Fixing my pet will change her personality.
The main influences on a dog's personality are the kindness and care with which she is raised. |
