Too hyped up!

[1chicken]

My Jack Russell Roly, is a 2 and a half year old "intact" male.

He is very lovable and faithful, that is, until he spots another "intact" male dog, and he changes into this snapping growling ready to kill monster.

It matters not, what size, or breed the other dog is, my 12 inch chap is ready to take him on.

This is hindering his training, and the dog trainers have said that it is due to the fact that he has a huge amount of testosterone and hormones and the only answer is to have 'em chopped off!

Can anyone give me an alternative to this, as I may want to breed at a later stage.

1chicken

[Gilli]

Ask your vet about chemical castration - I think the brand name is Tardak.

[woofgang]

Are you sure that this chap would be a good one to breed from if you are having problems with him???

[woofgang]

certainly also check out chemical castration as I understand that once a dog reaches a certain age, such hormone related behaviours become "set" and may not be improved by the chop

[FP]

I have never heard of chemical castration Gilli.  Can it be reversed so that 1chicken can breed from her dog at a later stage?  I  presume it is a hormone type medication that supresses the testosterone?

[Tillys Mum]

Probably not helpful but we had an "intact" JRT and  one that had been done. Both lovely with people, both horrors with other male dogs. Having one "done" reduced it a little but to the untrained observer he was still a snarling beast. Still wouldn't have swapped them for anything.

[woofgang]

Our old dog, sadly departed now had a prostate problem (benign hypertrophy) when he was about 12. The vet said that castration probably would cure it but it was by no means a sure thing, also they couldn't operate immediately so he prescribed chemical castration, both to see if castration would help, and to try to ease the dog's discomfort while waiting for the op. The effects are only seen for a little longer than the pills are taken for.

[1chicken]

Thanx for feed back.

I would also like to know what "chemical castration" is?

My hubby is picturing dipping "them" in a bath of smoking chemicals!!!

Its obviously a tablet form, which is an answer in its own way, but that means Roly is on tabs for life, and again is it reversable?

Yes, I would still like to breed him. He is a rare breed, in that he does  not yap or bark, just a low "ruff" to alert us to trouble!

[woofgang]

sorry, but not sure that a quiet bark is a good enough reason to breed from a dog whose hormone levels are such that you are considering castrating him in order to alter his behaviour!!

The tablets that my dog had only worked for slightly longer than he took them, ie the effects  wore off as the hormone suppression diminished. Don't know which country you are in but I am not sure that a UK vet would prescribe them on a permanent basis so that you could breed from a dog that you are having agression related behaviour problems with!!

[dmsjps]

Hi 1chicken, I had a problem dog and was told by a behaviourist that he was aggressive so the 'chemical castration' should be tried and if it worked, it would prove his behaviour was true aggression, therefore 'proper castration' would fix him. Chemical castration is an injection your vet gives him. It should begin to work after about 24-48 hours but sometimes takes up to a week, then it only lasts for a month to 6 weeks. Unfortunately there was no change in our pooch from this injection and the vet recommended not giving him the chop because it would be a waste of money. It's an awful shame to have something chopped off if there's no need, so please don't go down that route unless you're absolutely 100% certain it will work.

When you mention dog trainers, I presume you mean the people who run dog obedience classes. If so, I wouldn't pay much attention to what the dog trainers say; anyone can become a dog trainer with no official training or qualifications necessary, so you don't know if you're taking him to a complete quack or not! I'm not saying your dog trainers are talking out of their behinds because they may be right, but what about a second opinion?

Have you tried Bark Busters? www.barkbusters.co.uk
They cost �200, but you can pay half now, half next month and that fee covers your dog for life, even if you haven't been in touch for 6 years, etc. I think the initial consultation is free anyway. They always come and see you in your home and they come as often as you want them to. They liaise with your vet if you want them to, etc, etc.

�200 is a lot of money, but is there a Jack Russell breeder near you? If so, you may find them a fountain of knowledge and advice. They breed those dogs because they love them and they know how to spot traits/characteristics, etc, in the breed they deal with.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[1chicken]

Aaaah! Finally a five star, uncritical and sensible answer.

Thank you dmsjps for your feedback.

I I have been trying to find JR clubs on the web, but of course become overwhelmed by the hits on Jack Russells, it becomes a daunting task.