A male and a bitch under the same roof? Help!

[Hobbit]

K napisał(a):

Well My Elric is nearly one year now and has had his second growth spurt and is very in proportion now and just coming into his own... so as soon as the vet will have him after the 16th he will weigh a little bit less :wink:

Hum....big man....they should weigh at least :o 5 pounds each? :lol:

[imported_Foster]

Since most of these folks really do know what they are talking about but they do have bigger breeds, I will give you a perspective of someone with 3 dogs, all are fixed and one is a small male mini poodle.

Crested: It is your responsibility to make your dog happy. Do you think he is happy when he goes berserk because there is a female in heat? Do you think he is happy when he scratches and carries on because of dry skin etc...? Do you think he will be happy when you bring a female dog into the house that will go into heat?

If you answered NO to just one of these questions then he should be neutered ASAP.

My mini poodle is a whole whopping 11 3/4 at the withers and 8.6 lbs. I had him neutered at 6 months of age and he was only 6 lbs then. The day we brought him home he was a little groggy but that was the only side effect. He was trying to play with my other dogs the next day.

If you plan to be a responsible breeder you should be thinking about what it says about you and your integrity to perspective buyers when you have a dog in your house that is not neutered and does not better the breed. It says that you are a person that does not believe in neutering a dog that is not of the highest quality and that you are just a BYB. And how can you require a puppy buyer to spay/neuter one of your puppies that is NOT high quality when you, yourself won't do it.

Your dog has a better chance at a healthy quality of life if you neuter him now. You say that he has issues with people and dogs but you think that is because you did not know about socializing him as a puppy. You know there is a chance that might just be him and socializing would not have mattered. So now you have a dog that may or may not have allergies and a dog that may or may not have behavior problems. Both of these can be linked to genetics. Do you still think you are doing your dog justice by leaving him intact?

Oh and let's not forget about females that have a silent heat. Do you really want to take the chance that your female could have a silent heat that you do not know about and then turns up pregnant at the age of 1...??? And to realize that the father is a dog that could pass on some serious genetic faults. Plus now you also have a bitch that is too young to have puppies but it happened because you are afraid that you may regret neutering your dog. Maybe your female will die because she was not mature enough to have puppies or all the puppies are miscarried, etc...yes I am thinking the worst but everyone else have been nice in making you see you are only truly hurting your dog, and you are not listening. If you do not want advice then you should not ask for it. The folks on this board are probably a lot more dog savvy than the folks you have been talking with.

Start thinking about your dog and not yourself. What you feel does not really matter. What matters is that your dog would be better off being neutered. And if for some reason the neutering went wrong, your dog had 1 week of pain, or some scarring, your dog would still have a healthier and a better quality of life. I THINK THE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON HEALTH TRULY OUT WAY ANY SHORT TERM PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE. Yes something horrendous could happen but that is rare.

[Crested]

Ok. I have decided to go ahead with the neutering. I still haven't called the vet, but atleast I have made up my mind. I think this has been the toughest decition I have ever made so far, but I really hope it's the right one.
I guess the biggest reason for me realizeing that I HAVE to do it is the fact that I have found a breeder and that yesterday the girl went into heat. If everything goes well I should have a puppy in July.
So before that I will castrate Ben. Probabely even before spring, because that's when the run aways start... So I won't be able to go to real dogshows with Ben, but I can go to Match shows wich are just as fun! And castrateing don't prevent agility. :)
I want to thank you so much for all your grait advice! I'm so happy that there are people willing to help and give good advice.
There is a couple thing in castrateing that I want to know.

Wich ones are better; melting stiches or the ones that the vet has to take away?
When would be the best time for the castration (remember I live in Finland and winters are pretty cold up here)?

/Crest

[alicat613]

Congratulations on making the right decision!

Have you checked to see if Ben will even have stitches? I've only had big dogs who need stitches, but with my kitty there were no stitches. They made a tiny tiny incision and simply cut the cord that connects the sperm to the testicles. After a week or so, the testicles are reabsorbed into the body. Because the incision is so small, it is better to have no stitches. Maybe Ben is small enough for the same procedure. Neuters are so simple that the worst part is after - keeping them from messing with the stitches. My kitty was up and jumping around within hours of his surgery, so no stitches was very nice.

[Crested]

alicat: I think he needs stiches... Atleast I have heard that Cresteds need stiches but just one or two... Ben is a big fellow. He's 32cm and weighs 7,6kg (the last time I weighed him) wich is a bit too much, but he is not at all fat. He's.. fit. :o :lol:
The normal weight of a Crested is about 5,5kg.

/Crest

[pets4ever]

Good for you! I think you will be happy with your decision when all this is said and done. Just think, Ben can go to parks and other places and won't get upset regarding any females that come near. He can make friends easier and be happy with no worries!

As far as when, it probably doesn't matter since he's an indoor dog and they really do heal so fast - you won't believe it. As far as stitch type, my dog had the dissolving type of stitches which, when I heard that, was glad because I knew I wouldn't have to bring him back for another stressful vet visit where some stranger will be poking around a vulnerable place while they're on their back (of course it would only take a second and then - the treat! yum!) Of course, I appreciated not having to arrange a trip down to the vet too :wink: . I think they only put one or two stitches per side and like I mentioned before they usually aren't bothered by it. I doubt if you will have a choice and either type will do. Maybe you can remove the stitches yourself if he'll lie still and you have a helper. That would avoid the vet visit. It's easy to do if you're willing.

[Crested]

I just heard about the dessolving stiches, that they can get infected a lot easier.
I'm still just so reliefed to have made the decition and even if I still have doubts, I have started to realize more and more how good it probabely will be.
Ben's... sexual activity... (or what should it be called) has been the main coucurn with getting the girl, but now once I HAVE made up my mind, I don't have a single thing stopping me from getting the perfect girl! And Ben can still be a dad... Well... Not a BIOLOGICAL dad, but I'm sure he'll be a foster parent anyway. :D I kind of have a little "hunch" about that. :wink:

/Crest

[bk_blue]

You made the right decision Crested! :D

Crested napisał(a):

I just heard about the dessolving stiches, that they can get infected a lot easier. /Crest

I don't know about in dogs but I had a very big mole removed from my arm when I was 12 (they thought it may have been cancerous), and the plastic surgeon put dissolvable stiches in and they got infected (because they don't dissolve!!!), all I had to do was poke my scar and pus would come shooting out. It was loads of fun sitting there on holidays at the beach while everyone else was in the water, picking stitches out of my arm. :( :evil: Never mind at least I have a conversation starter at parties LOL. :roll:
Forgot to add that I have had normal stitches on 4 different occasions which have all healed well. (2 were my own fault because I was a hyperactive showoff in my youth, haha)
I think BK had normal stitches because we had to go back and get them removed.

[Crested]

There is one big question... HOW DO I CONVINCE MY MOM!? :o
I've tried to explain the benifits you have told me but she is currently suffering from the well known "yeah, but" -virus.
Everything I say, the anwser is: "Yeah, but..:" :roll:
She thinks that Ben will: (quote)
1. "get angry because he will notice he's no longer a man."
2. "get annoyed because he will notice he is no longer like every other dog" :roll:
3. "get upset when the new girl comes because he has always been the main priority and he will notice that the two of them can't... ehh... have sex." :roll:
There are three examples... give me some ways to convince my mom and I'll try... And I'll give you the "yeah, but" she gives me.

/Crest

[pets4ever]

Remind your mom that dogs are not, and do not think like people! He will not have "regrets" because he doesn't know any better, and thinks in the "here and now". Dogs don't worry about "what if's.." like people do. They have better things to do! :D

Why don't you just let your mom read this whole thread and maybe it will convince her as well as it did you? :wink:

[Crested]

pets4ever: If only my mother would understand english... :-? It's 2am here so I'm going to bed. I'll tell her that tomorrow. In the mean time... I still need some more advice how to get her to understand that it is for the best!

/Crest

[Crested]

My mom is impossible!! But now she thinks it's nearly, maby, perhaps a good idea.. :roll: Well I guess I got a bit colser from "ABSOLUTELY NOT!!". :o

Any more ideas??

/Crest

[bk_blue]

Good for you Crested- keep pushing (we all know how pushy teenagers can be LOL). :D

[Crested]

bk_blue: Thanks a lot! :roll:


:lol:

[mouseatthebusstop]

WELL DONE :D ALMOST THERE

[RR]

I hope that you have really listened to the excellent advice you are being given. I think the decision to neuter is an excellent one.

I just want to add that many breeders had a "pet" for their first dog which led them into breeding that breed. They never used this pet to breed, but only then did they learn what the breed, the breed standard, and breeding was all about. Are you part of the National Crested club in your Country? Have you started out in junior handling for showing? Once you get involved in this you learn so much more about structure, function etc and will learn how to recognize faults & weaknesses. These are the first things that will get you on your way to becoming a responsible breeder ----breeding hasn't even entered the picture. You say show quality is not really what you are looking for ---- so technically you are not looking for structurally correct dog that conforms to breed standard and is sound in both mind and body??? A Ch should be about more than just a "title".

If you do wish to become a responsible breeder is far better for you to research and do all you can to find the most structurally sound bitch from health tested lines who will be your foundation. Hopefully along with that you find your 'mentors'. Any two dogs can be bred but would you want to be known for that or for finding the best possible match (taking pedigree into consideration) with a quality male for your future female and future lines? It is easier to find a the right stud than it is to lease a top female-- not many breeders will give up their best female. You must look at the whole picture, just because there aren't many "true" hairless doesn't mean they are not out there a REPUTABLE breeder will not misrepresent their breed. A good breeder will go to many lengths to import the right dog, and since they don't rely on income from breeding and can support themselves from a job, can afford the best.

good luck to you

[Rowie-the-Pooh]

GOOD FOR YOU!! :bday: :bday:

I LOVE your desicion(sp?)!! Thanks for making the world a better place! :D

[Crested]

I know there are a few ways to do the castration and it varies from vet to vet how much the neutering costs... But... I'd like to know what kind of method was used when your male was neuterd and how much it costed for YOU?

I am going to do it, but I don't have the opportunety RIGHT NOW... So I have to wait about a month or so... Untill then I would like to know more about the cost and how the neutering was made... Did your dog need stiches? How big is your dog?

Thanks! :)

/Crest

[Crested]

Why isn't anyone sending any anwswers...?? :o

You guys are tryeing to FREEZE ME OUT, huh? :evil: :lol:

[mouseatthebusstop]

PHONE AROUND YOUR LOCAL VETS. THE COST INCLUDES THE AMOUNT OF ANASECTIC THAT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE DOG. YOUR BEN IS SMALL SO IT WILL BE CHEAPER. LET US KNOW HOW YOU GET ON

[pets4ever]

I wasn't sure if you were asking a specific person or not...sorry. Anyway, it does depend upon the weight of the dog, not to mention your location! My dog was between 40 and 50 pounds and I think it was around $75? (I don't remember exactly) :oops: . He did get the dissolving sutures but had no problems whatsoever. Call around, you'll be surprised at the variation in price...How is your mom's opinion coming around?

[luckychaos]

For my dog Lucky it was around $50. but hes 75 pounds so I don't think it will cost you that much. Ya Lucky needed stiches but I don't think he even knew anything happened, and he had the melt stiches so we never had to go back to the vet to have them removed.

[Crested]

Well... I'm getting Ben neuterd in the beginning of next month... I'm calling the vet tomorrow...
The puppy is due to be born in May so I will have my little angel here in July. Everything is going pretty well! In next month I will allso find out if Sussu (the mother of my coming pup) is in whelp or not... There is a lot of exitement in the air.
Day by day I feel like I have made the right decition neutering Ben... I just hope it actually IS the right one.

I was just on a walk with Ben and I noticed he has got a LOT of more courage. Everytime someone walked toward us Ben stopped, lifted his ears and looked really curiously at the person walking towards him. When the person was right infront of us Ben jumped to the side and started running after that person REALLY dissappointed that he/she didn't bend down wondering what kind of creature he is. :o
There was this one young (really cute :wink:) guy that Ben instantly ran to! But the guy just kind of sneared at Ben... Poor little fellow didn't really know what to think. He just stood there watching the guy continue his walking. :o
Even if Ben is afraid of other dogs he seems to get over that too!! (!!!!!!) There was this one white, fluffy dog in a cage in his/her (didn't exacly get near enough to see what sex he was) who was barking at Ben. Ben kind of whined a couple times, but walked past him like there was no dog! :o
The entire walk Ben was walking like he's the big matcho man who's afraid of no man or beast, wagging his tail and takeing BIG steps forward. Usually he is kind of scared, and whenever anyone comes towards him he gets the "RUN FOR YOUR LIFE" -menthality, but not now!!
He has changed a LOT after beeing in the dog hotell a few times! He's got a LOT braver!! I'm so happy!! :D

I have been a bit scared of how he will act when my little angel comes, but after today I KNOW it will work itself out! :D

/Crest

[mouseatthebusstop]

WHEN I WENT TO VISIT PADDY AND GLADIS WHEN THEY WHERE STILL WITH THEIR BREEDER. I LET POPPY SMELL MY HANDS AFTER I HAD BEEN HOLDING THE PUPIES. WHEN I GOT THEM HOME I KEPT THEM IN A PEN. I INTERDUCED THEM SLOWLY NEVER LEFT THEM ALONE POPPY WOULD LIE BY THE PEN TO WATCH THEM THEY SOON BECAME FRIENDS :)

[Crested]

A BIG, BIG, BIG thank you to ALL you guys that helped be get to the decition about neutering Ben!! I'm calling the vet early tomorrow morning and if everything goes well, Ben should be neutered next week. Keep your fingres crossed that everything goes well and that he'll be himself as soon as possible. I'm still a bit shaky about this.

If you want any updates on Ben, just go to our homepage: http://personal.inet.fi/koti/crested (click on the UK flag to get to the english pages) I'll post all the important stuff happening with Ben there.

Thanks again you guys! :)

/Crest