Does a dog get too old to be fixed?
By Toofancy
@Toofancy (548)
United States
March 2, 2009 2:15pm CST
I want to have my chihuahua fixed to see if it helps with the problem I have of him using the bathroom in the house all the time. (Marking) He just turned 3. One of my daughters said she thinks he is too old to be fixed. I know it would have been better for me to do it when he was young, but I didn't know he could get too old to have it done. Do you know if this is true?
2 people like this
5 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Mar 09
I don't know that much about it myself, but I am about to give you a link that I hope will help. For all those who might be wondering this link is NOT A REFERRAL LINK!...
http://www.bigpawsonly.com/when-to-get-your-dog-fixed-features.htm
Again I hope this helps, I'm no expert myself, but these people might be!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Good, I am glad that the website I have provided you with was helpful! Have a wonderful day.
1 person likes this
@22angel22 (450)
• United States
3 Mar 09
He isn't to old to be fixed BUT that doesn't mean it'll change the problem you are having. He is set in his ways and its possible he may not stop marking his areas because its taken you to long to do something about it.
@Toofancy (548)
• United States
4 Mar 09
Yes, I know it may not change his marking because it is a habit now. I should have had him fixed a long time ago when I saw that I could not break him. We tried, but he just would not stop. I also should have put him in his crate, but when he looks at me with those little sad eyes, I break down and let him out. So, I take the blame. But we have a friend who said her chihuahua stopped marking when she had him fixed (but I don't know exactly how old he was at the time). Anyway, we will see! Thanks for your response!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Mar 09
No, they never really get too old. And 3 isn't even old for a dog, so I'd definitely still recommend getting him fixed. But at the animal hospital I used to work at I've seen dogs over 8 years old finally get fixed, although it was often due to some sort of emergency (such as a tumor) by that age.
It would have been better to do it when he was younger because then he would have never started marking. But getting him fixed is still the first step in getting him to stop marking your house.
1 person likes this
@Toofancy (548)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Thanks for your response. It makes me feel better. Yes, I figured he is what...21 years old in human years? He's barely more than a babe! Ha. He still acts like a puppy, anyway. I will be curious to see how much this is going to change his personality. My poodle is fixed and he is very mellow.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Check with your Vet, but I'm pretty sure you'll have no problem. But to cure the problem in your home you will have to get a very good animal urine cleaner and make sure everything it clean when he come home. This has become a habit for him and the smell may continue to trigger this action after you have neutered him. You will also have to watch him very closely just as if you were house breaking a puppy.
you have to change his habits. Good Luck you can do it.
1 person likes this
@Toofancy (548)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Thank you for your reply. I will ask the Vet, and I hope it will be OK. And I really hope to break him, but it has been really hard and I haven't been successful yet. I will do what you suggest. It seems like good sound advice and I appreciate it! Wish me luck!
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
5 Mar 09
My pug did that when he was 4. He was just turning fat after that, everything is fine.
