The Dog House offers general guidance.  If you have any concerns regarding your own dog you should always seek professional advice.

The Dog House
March 2010 Edition

Last month I had hoped we had seen the last of the snow, how wrong I was. However this month there will be no mention of snow, as I am hoping that spring is just around the corner.

As mentioned in the February Dog House, I have been finalising my plan to take Zippy to Obedience training. The Kennel Club can advise on Kennel Club registered Dog Clubs in your area and often your vet will hold a list of local Dog Training clubs.

I have visited three clubs to observe the training and to decide what “lucky” club will have the pleasure of training Zippy (and me). The first club was very friendly but just seemed to have too many dogs in the class. The hall was small and the dogs had to wait a long time for their turn with the instructor. The second club was quite the opposite with only 4 dogs in the class, but the training clearly involved a lot of pulling and to my mind not much training. The final club seemed to have a clear structure and training was reward based using titbits. Most of the dogs were clearly enjoying their training and the owners I spoke to said that their dog’s behaviour had really improved.

I decided to sign Zippy up for an eight week beginner course. The instructor asked whether I had considered having Zippy castrated, as this can be helpful in controlling unwanted behaviours, such as amorous attention towards female dogs; curbing aggressive encounters with other male entire dogs and constant territorial marking. She said that sometimes castration did not always have the desired effect on a dog’s behaviour but that before I made up my mind, I should do some research and discuss the subject with my vet.

As suggested I visited my vet to discuss Zippy’s possible castration. As well as outlining all the possible benefits already mentioned, he also said that castrating a dog reduces the risk of prostrate and testicular cancer.

It took a couple of days for me to make up my mind but finally I rang the vet and arranged for Zippy to be castrated. The sentimental part of me had a vision of Zippy meeting a beautiful female, having a whirlwind affair and then a litter of much loved puppies, from which I would keep a Zippy look alike. However Zippy’s parentage is far from certain and I have no idea whether there are genetic health problems in his line. Also whilst I know that I am in a position to offer another dog a home, there are sadly many people who, whilst liking the idea of a puppy, have not thought through the responsibilities and commitment of owning a dog. I am resolved that when I decide to have another dog, I shall hopefully be able to re-home one from my local rescue centre.

Today is the second day after Zippy’s operation and I was told by the vet to keep him quiet for a few days with restricted exercise. Unfortunately no one explained this to Zippy, who fed up with my apparent lack of attention e.g. playing ball, has taken to making up his own games. So far this has resulted in a broken mug and spilt coffee and two upturned pot plants. Thankfully, it is only two more weeks until our obedience course begins.