In the course of teaching a half-dozen dog training classes around the North Bay in a week, I see plenty of dogs. They go from muttly creations to the show dog. I am so used to seeing such a wide variety of canines that the only thing that still takes me aback is a fully intact, mature, muscled un-neutered male dog. I mean I can see the “boys.”
It’s so unusual to see an intact dog in classes that when I do see one, I am curious. Show dogs are rarely fixed, but a lot of the dogs I see are far from the ring.
I never ask if they are going to get the dog fixed, because it’s none of my business. I usually wait until the person experiences a behavior associated with the lack of snipping, before I bring it up.
The benefits of spaying or neutering your dog have been well documented.
But the fact of the matter is, the operation to get your dog, or cat, sterilized is pricey. Pricey if you are already challenged economically. If it were a choice between feeding the dog and paying for a surgery, most people would prefer to feed the dog. On a rescue run about a year ago, the shelter in Los Banos adopted out dogs and gave the adopters a list of veterinarians in the area who would perform surgeries. Surgery prices varied from $100 to $200 depending on the size and health of the animal. In such an economically depressed region, one could bet spending additional money for surgery was a no-win.
Yes, I could berate the people for not fixing their dog. I could trot out that caring for a pet is a luxury. But you know what? I am so thankful they have made the decision to develop a relationship with their dog. At least they are doing something. That neuter battle is for another day.
