Good day Shannon

Although my question does not directly relate to dog behaviour (when to spay a bitch) but considering the timing it could influence the dogs behaviour.

First a bit of background… We own a 5 and a half month old Scottish Terrier bitch called Tara. She is very playful and stubbor, like every Scotty should be (what I have read and heard from people). She is also KUSA registered.

We would like to know the right time to spay Tara. We will not be breeding her and I have read that spaying her will eliminate many possible illnesses later in life. I have consulted many people about this and everyone has a different opinion..… some say 6 months, some say after her first cycle. Our local veterinarian suggests to only spay her at a year old. What would be the best time to spay her and put the least amount of stress on her, the least amount of confusion?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Regards,

Call a spayed a spade

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Hi Spade,

While this is a veterinary question on the face of it, it can have repercussions on behaviour.

One needs to understand that all behaviour patterns are present even in neonate puppies. During the course of the pup's life, hormonal activity will “switch behaviours on” while the environment and experiences will act in a modifier capacity.

Reproduction is controlled by hormones, which can act on behaviour as well as causing physiological changes. So, waiting until a bitch has had one heat before spaying can switch on some behaviours that could have otherwise remained dormant – I am sure you can see where I am going with this.

My suggestion is to spay prior to the first heat. I am not a vet, but as far as I understand this can further reduce possible health problems. Added to which, it avoids some behaviours from being activated in the first place. These behaviours are not necessarily problems, but they can contribute to a situation where a bitch behaves differently and then you are dealing with the experience factor of behaviour. To illustrate: A bitch may show increased aggression during a phantom heat. This could result in a biting or fighting incident. Had the bitch been spayed the increased aggression would probably never have existed in the first place thus avoiding this incident entirely.

A brief review by O'Heare (2006) on spaying bitches did find two behaviours which are influenced by the timing of spaying (O'Farrell and Peachey, 1990; and also discussed in Hart and Eckstein, 1997). Bitches spayed before 12 months showed increased aggression towards owners, but only if they showed aggression to owners prior to being spayed. They also suggested that spaying within two months of a heat cycle may promote irritability or aggression in some bitches. This is proposed to be due to the sudden removal of progestins during this period – progestins are thought to have a calming effect.

Nonetheless, in my experience it is best to spay prior to the first heat and hence reduce the possibility of hormonally influenced behaviours triggering an incident which shapes future behaviour and cannot be undone.

Good luck with your girl.

Shannon

 

References:
O'Heare J (2006). The Effects of Spaying and Neutering on Canine Behavior, Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
Hart BL & Eckstein RA (1997). The role of gonadal hormones in the occurrence of objectionable behaviours in dogs and cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 52, Pages 331-344.
O'Farrell V & Peachey E (1990). Behavioural effects of ovariohysterectomy on bitches . Journal of Small Animal Practice, Volume 31, Pages 595-598.