NEUTER him now for fear of "fear aggression"

[shandoggy1]

I am a little upset that a vet tech at the vet I have been going to for twenty years is telling me to neuter my Australian Cattle dog pup now at 4 months old because he is fearful. Wouldn't you be if everytime you went to the vet you would get stuck with a needle? I told her that I maybe showing him and that she has no right to tell me what to do! This is the same girl that asked me "what made you want that breed"? on one of my first visits. I know another woman in my neighborhood that also has an ACD and she wasn't spoken to nicely either (same vet). Unfortunately people who know of the breed hold some of the same stereo-types as they do with pitbulls. The ACD breed can be a tough breed and very stubborn and or aggressive if not trained properly. They are naturally suspicious of strangers and are excellent guard dogs. However, after working with dogs for as long as I have I know what I got myself into and I love the challenge of a challenging an intelligent breed. I am socializing him to no end and he is such a love bug, he is also being raised with my 4 year old little girl. I am seriously thinking of leaving the only vet I have ever known because of his vet-tech what should I do????

[Mysticwind]

A vet tech should NOT be saying these things to you. I am in school to become a vet tech and I know that it is not allowed to antagonize clients like she is doing. I would recommend spay/neuter to clients with new dogs, but not push the issue. I have never heard of a dog becoming fear aggressive due to being intact. My friend has a fear aggressive dog who has been neutered since he was 9 weeks old. Fear aggression has nothing to do with being intact.

As for your pup being wary of the vet, why not stop in without an appointment and have the staff just give him some treats (maybe weigh him while he's there) and then leave so it's not like every time he goes there something bad happens. I wish I had done that with Mystic when she was a puppy.

Speak to the vet about how out of line his tech is, he will want to keep you as a client.

[flyndog]

Originally Posted by shandoggy1

I am seriously thinking of leaving the only vet I have ever known because of his vet-tech what should I do????

I'd talk to the vet and tell him just that.

[theGOOCH]

I think one of the biggest myths about dogs is that an unneutered male is predisposed to aggression. I have never found this to be the case

[sammy]

People choose all different types of breeds for all different reasons- something she should know in her job!
Like the others said- I would mention it to the vet-(if his tech's judgemental attitude is pushing away clients he might want to address that) - I'm not sure she is qualified to be giving that advice anyway-- when to neuter is between you and the vet I would think.

[rutylr]

Neutering is not always the answer to stop aggression,but that is what everyone thinks.
All my dogs love to go to the vet.Sometime we go there just to weight them and have people pet them and give them treats.The vets office should not be a bad place.
Talk to your vet and ask that you not get this vet tec. any more.They work for you.
Donna

[Raised By Wolves]

This vet tech may simply be a little overzealous in their intent to control the general pet population. If this is the case, community involvement would probably by a better place to do this, rather than a place of business where people are coming to provide health care and get "unbiased" advice on the general well being of their pets.

I would mention this to the vet, but I wouldn't make a bigger deal out of it than there is. I wonder if this is a young person, fresh out of vet tech school?

[shandoggy1]

She is probably between 35 to 38 range and she has been there for a long time about 15years. I mean I believe in neutering and spaying and will have it done at the time I feel is right for my dog, but I want to make that decision. He will be fixed if I don't end up showing him, but her ATTITUDE really bothered me.

[Kade]

I would definitely mention it to the vet.

And I'm sorry, I just don't see how neutering a puppy at 4 months will solve fear issues! For heaven's sake, especially if vet visits are traumatic.

[TribalRats]

I think flyndog gave you some great advice, I would talk to the vet.

[shandoggy1]

Originally Posted by theGOOCH

I think one of the biggest myths about dogs is that an unneutered male is predisposed to aggression. I have never found this to be the case

Well gooch I do some what agree with you but they do say that 74% of all dog attacks are from un-neutered males. But anyway I am holding off on the procedure because I may show him and this tech had no right in telling me what to do and when.