Coming from a rescue stand point in regard to sp/neuter, overall it ends up a better situation since it eliminates one additional behavioral element by reducing biological induced distraction factors as part of reproductive seeking activities and desire to excessively roam in many cases.
As far as the overall socialization issue, even with the best of intentions most people do not have a vast social pooch network(s) or their own personal village of well trained "safe" neutered or non-neutered dogs to engage with. This is the first handicap. Secondly, many do not recognize the importance of ongoing socialization is necessary. Nor do the vast majority understand that lack of social engagement across all parameters or many species of life causes interaction problems, not merely for dogs. The sp/neuter surgery will not resolve this in dogs as much as everyone would like to believe, even in the training world.
In terms of social behavior, for each day or month that goes by without the opportunity for good quality dog to dog social interaction, even the most well rounded dogs will loose some of their social skills, sp/neuter aside. I know there are many (even trainers) who feel a dog does not need to interact with other dogs after age two.... Brick wall mentality even among the so called experts.
I will say illness, multiple surgeries, veterinary mishandling, or poor grooming experiences will tick away at even the most social animal's mental stability and behavior with others, causing more reactivity in out of the home environment.
In skimming the study, it appears oversimplified and there are a lot of factors that are not even mentioned or ferreted out in terms of nature, nurture etc. Without observations to back up of the conditions it seems the data is weak or very limited at best. Correlation does not equal causation. At this juncture without further in depth studies I am skeptical that the associated behavior changes are as concrete as the research suggests.
I have never had the option of vet vasectomy for any of the dogs under our care so can't provide input on that one.
Comments
It allows the wolves to not mate with siblings and for the staff to observe them with her hormones intact..
Maybe I'll learn more on that type stuff when I volunteer at the wolf park soon.
As far as the overall socialization issue, even with the best of intentions most people do not have a vast social pooch network(s) or their own personal village of well trained "safe" neutered or non-neutered dogs to engage with. This is the first handicap. Secondly, many do not recognize the importance of ongoing socialization is necessary. Nor do the vast majority understand that lack of social engagement across all parameters or many species of life causes interaction problems, not merely for dogs. The sp/neuter surgery will not resolve this in dogs as much as everyone would like to believe, even in the training world.
In terms of social behavior, for each day or month that goes by without the opportunity for good quality dog to dog social interaction, even the most well rounded dogs will loose some of their social skills, sp/neuter aside. I know there are many (even trainers) who feel a dog does not need to interact with other dogs after age two.... Brick wall mentality even among the so called experts.
I will say illness, multiple surgeries, veterinary mishandling, or poor grooming experiences will tick away at even the most social animal's mental stability and behavior with others, causing more reactivity in out of the home environment.
In skimming the study, it appears oversimplified and there are a lot of factors that are not even mentioned or ferreted out in terms of nature, nurture etc. Without observations to back up of the conditions it seems the data is weak or very limited at best. Correlation does not equal causation. At this juncture without further in depth studies I am skeptical that the associated behavior changes are as concrete as the research suggests.
I have never had the option of vet vasectomy for any of the dogs under our care so can't provide input on that one.
Snf