keeping a male puppy intact

pee, pee, and... more pee

I fostered a male Pomeranian for 3 months and he lifted his leg on everything he saw. Not to mention humped my dog 24-7.

Strict strict potty training is my suggestion... and if you have a girl dog she won't be happy hahaha

I have two intact males, and one intact female(in heat now) in my one bed room apartment.  There is no marking issue, no hyper issues(other than when I don't exercise Colton enough, my fault) and neither hump other dogs.  Colton is a bit of a pest now that Rose is in heat, but no major problems.  Just him watching her longingly.  I was very strict on housetraining when they were puppies.  However, Cash was a year old when he came to live here permanently, being outside before that, and he has no marking issues either.  I wouldn't hesitate one bit to have another intact male at some point.  As long as you set the rules and stick to them, its not so bad...but its that way for any dog.

I don't mind intact males, provided they are properly trained from the outset.  I know some people find it a bit EASIER with the dog "fixed", but it is by no means impossible to train an intact male to reliably come when called, pee outdoors and play appropriately (with humans and other dogs).  Much of the humping and hyperactivity is (IMO) due to an excess of energy and/or not enough stimulation or socialisation with other temperamentally sound dogs.

My mums dog is intact and he is a lovely house dog.  He has had only a few accidents indoors, when he was younger and either unwell or left alone for too long.  He was terminally gutted about it.  They do have to be careful about shutting gates, because there are intact females literally living about 100yds away.  It is obvious when they are in heat though and his frustration is apparent.

My brothers dog was also intact till the day he died and he was also a wonderful dog and completely glued to the family, wouldn't leave my brother's side for anything, not even for a nice bit of steak or a lady-dog... and he was also appalled at the notion of pee or poo indoors.  I wish my castrated male were half so inhibited about going in the house as those two.

I don't think it's that big of a deal.  Maybe it depends on breed?  I know tons of people with intact male German Shepherds (shown and worked) and the are no different other than very strict precautions take place when bitches are in season.  They are not any more hyper, aggressive, or mark more than other males and females.  Two weeks ago I took in a stray neutered male Bichon and he marked EVERYTHING, including peeing inside my house.  The only difference I've noticed is that the intact male GSDs are *sometimes* pushier as teenagers and need stricter NILIF, but a little NILIF won't hurt any dog :) 

Something else to consider is that it can vary from male to male.  For example, my male border collie was intact up until age 5.  He didn't lift his leg...didn't care about my intact girls, and was a gentleman at all times.  I neutered him simply because I decided that he'd never be the dog his father was and his father has been "collected."  I also had a male intact papillon that I had planned on showing but eventually had neutered at 9 mos.  He was SO obvoxious...he marked, he was very dominant, and I shudder to think what life would have been like if he'd ever been in the same house with a girl in season.  So I finally had to call his breeder and see if she minded if he was neutered....luckily she said she had no problems with that!  After neutering him he was a lot easier to live with and wasn't nearly as obnoxious with the other dogs. 

Soooo........ keep in mind that all intact dogs are not alike!!  Most of my experiences with intact boys has been positive.

 Crusher was intact up until 5 months ago.  He's never marked in the house, and never tried humping any other dogs besides his sister when she went into heat.  (Curbed that real quick)  He's not aggressive either.  He is leash reactive but thats not so much related to being intact I don't think.  He's fixed now and I haven't noticed much of a difference in him at all.

starting from puppyhood I doubt it'd be any different.

Now once he is used for breeding? Or around a bitch in season? THEN you can expect some possible changes. Once that little lightbulb goes off "Oh...so THAT'S what it's for..." errmm yeah. It's different then.

Rascal was intact until he was 3, and was never used for breeding or exposed to females in season. He likes to mark outside a good bit and did not always play the nicest with other dogs in a dog park like setting. Other than that he was completely "normal." Hope that helps! 

as far as the marking etc..if your getting the dog as a puppy..it should be no harder to house train than a neutered male, and shouldnt have any problems with marking..humping varies from dog to dog as well.  Diesel is 4 years old, intact, and doesnt mark in the house (although going to the store where there is the smell of other dogs is a different story) and never humped anyone/anything...and he has been around females in heat.  My mom also has an intact 3 year old GSD that she doesnt have any problems with...  Sometimes you can get more attitude with an intact male..but if your buying from a reputable breeder (who should consider temperment in their breeding stock as well) and owning a breed like a  manchy thats not known for considerable aggression..you shouldnt have any problems!

I was SO worried about this!  But, he's 7 months old now ... and so far so good ((knocks on wood, metal, the wall... my head...).  Truly it's all about training and LOTS of socialization. I've gone overboard on the socialization since I didn't want problems later on, so he's met and played with all number of dogs, with special attention to intact males, lots of POSITIVE exposure to intact males.  Also now that he's going through adolescence I'm not allowing him to hump. ANYTHING.  That's a big No-No, NO humping allowed.  I also don't let him posture about things, he's starting that up. Today he postured at another dog (he couldn't see it clearly it was behind a bush.) But as soon as I saw it happening, he got out one bark before i had him completely refocused on me, and then we walked over, met the dog, and life continued as normal.

So, if you're willing to put in the time really, really socializing him (which you'll need to do if you're showing, anyway) and have your eye to nip any problem behaviors in the bud... I say go for it. 

As others have said, I'm not anxious to have him bred though!  UGH! lol


 

I think it is all about you and the dog.... One I neutered due to territory marking a bit earlier than I planned.  I liked to keep my male dogs intact until I have full physical development.  Then I neutered.  Dess however stayed intact until he was 5 and I brought in an intact bitch.  One thing I regret about neutering is the impact it has on heavy coated dogs.  Dess's coat used to be magnificient...Now it is blah.  I know many folks in belgians with intact dogs OTCH level.  They dont do natural breedings, they collect the dogs.  Those used for natural breedings dont seem to do as well after when the obedience ring is at an all breed show.

Dess was obnoxious about riding, still can be.  Leave it was used alot.   Marshall never rode a thing and only marked once, they day we brought the baby home, right in front of us....

Now his neutering was a funny story (sorry about the OT).  David was at work so I bundled up the baby and the dog and drove over to the vets.  Waiting room empty,  we were sitting on the far side so there was plenty of space at the counter if others came in.... Tech who Marshall loved, walked out, he growled... I was flabbergasted... this was my perfectly manner dog with people.... The vet walked out (big man) he got up out of his sit and growled with dentition... I am mortified.  Vet asks me to take him out the car.  I do.  We talk.  Vet says, I can manhandle him in office and through the procedures (remember he has been carrying for Marshall for more than a year and everybody has previously adored each other).  However, that would make for troubles in the future.  Vet says, can your husband bring him in at lunch (David and the vet were on the same side of town)?  So, I call David.  At lunch I go get him and we drive back to the vet.  Jerilyn and I stay in the car.  David and Marshall walk in.  Nothing,,,walk in the back,,,nothing,,,,sedate him with David there,,, nothing.  We go back to pick him up and it is kisses for all.  Thank God for smart vets.  He had just finished an MA in animal behavior and decided that Marshall felt the need to protect when the baby was present...The vet and Marshall maintained their mutual admiration society until we moved away and Marshall charmed a whole new practice.  Which is pretty impressive when you are a big black doberman.

 When I was younger my family had three intact males at one time and none had any marking problems and we were just "pet people" at that time. Many people will swear to you that if you have an intact male they will pee all over your house but that isn't my experience at all. Exceptions would be male dogs who are kept as kennel dogs until adult and toy breeds. Toy breeds are known for being difficult to housetrain anyway, so it isn't a surprise that the marking tends to be bad as all. My current intact male hgas been bred naturally and is still a good worker :)

 Colton has been used for breeding a couple of times.  He's still the same little dog.  Hes definitely a challenging dog, but that is his personality and has nothing to do with him being intact.  His mother is the same way.  Cash was kept outside in a kennel until about a year old.  He came home with me a couple of times during that year, but not too much.  He has no marking problem.  Now, when I put the boys out in a kennel when I'm gone or just take them out there while I'm working with dogs there, they like to mark, but no where else, and not inside.