DS: I need some help making a decision?

The vet should run a few tests to see if your dog is up for it..if not, I wouldn't go ahead with it. A dog at that age can run into issues. And I tend to agree with you, Neutering a dog at that age, if not allowed to roam, is only causing undue stress on an older animal. Talk to your mom and try to get her to see your side in all this..neutering will not fix any issues, and only stress out an old dog...

Since you trust your vet, you might try having a talk with them. Every surgery presents some risk, even for young and healthy animals, so your vet may have an opinion on whether the benefits outweigh the risk.

For any other dogs you get further on down the line, you may want to consider spaying/neutering as soon as they are old enough. Aside from health reasons, it would reduce the chance of unwanted litters being born. And if money is ever an issue preventing it, you can usually ask around and find local spay/neuter programs that will perform them at discounted costs.

Good luck, I hope you and your mother come to an agreement.

Besides the fact that your mother should have more common sense about seniors and surgery and the risks involved, I think you need to get a new vet if the vet consents to neutering your dog.

There is absolutely NO REASON to neuter a senior dog unless there is some sort of health risk.

As you said - the dog is healthy and as you already know, neutering will not change any behaviours or be a quick fix to training issues.

Talk to your mom - have a reasonable discussion with her, perhaps even give her the reading material that UHave2Be provided. She needs to understand that a dog at this age, no matter how healthy, shouldn't be having surgery like this unless there is a health risk involved.

The vet will run a complete blood profile on your dog. If there are ANY issues, the vet will not do the surgery.

If your mother thinks this will stop *behavioral* issues it is because she has heard this or someone has told her.

Neutering/castrating is NOT a cure all. The dog is 11 years old. Barring unforeseen life threatening diseases, your dog probably has another 3 to 5 years.

If he is in good physical condition, castrating him should not be a problem.

Personally, I don't like the fact the dog must be anesthetized for surgery.

My 13 year old Lab (in great condition otherthan arthritis) has to have surgery to remove a mass cell lymphoma tumor. THIS is necessary. THIS is NOT elective. But it still makes me nervous.

Personally? I would not do this surgery simply because it does not need to be done and there is always a higher risk of loosing a dog which is a senior when under anesthesia.

I wouldn't do it.

There is no sense in neutering a senior dog, or putting him through unnecessary surgery especially since he has never had surgery before.

My dog went through his first surgery when he was 10 and he was fine, but you can never know and i don't think the benefits would be worth the potential risk.

If your mom is willing to pay for the surgery, tell her that she can use the money to hire a trainer instead to help with the recall training.

I'm not surprised you are concerned about your dog. To be honest so would I be, and I am not sure I would do this at 11 yrs old. What breed is he and therefore what lifespan are you expecting.

How on earth is he under your name at the vets when a) you are a minor and b) you were only 6 yrs old when he would of first gone to the vets.

You hopefully wouldn't be so irresponsible as to let an 11 yr old male sire a litter of puppies though would you ?

He's an old dog... isn't that a bit pointless? I see no reason to spend money on a surgery that isn't life-saving on an older dog. To me, that is a waste of time and money... I'm assuming that you've done a fine job so far in his life of keeping him from knocking up someone else's, so there's really no need.

I think the answer to that question will show itself in your dog. I am all for feeding the best you can afford and what your dog does well on. There is no point in feeding the "best" or most expensive dog food out there if your dog doesn't do well on it. I have had my Lab on "premium" dog food, and he had issues. I switched to a good food (that many here don't feel is good enough) and he is much better. Add- Dogs can be allergic to ingredients in the highest quality food, it is not simply crappy food that can cause allergies.

There is no good reason to neuter a dog at that age. Why put him through unnecesary surgery?

Neutering will not change entrenched behavioral issues. A dog at 11 years is like a human of 80 years - its an old dog. Its inviting problems that you don't need, and adding risk for no good reason.

Your vet should be guiding this discussion - and why he (or she) has allowed it to go this far makes me question the vet.

Surgery on any senior dog should ONLY be done as a life saving measure.

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PS: Vets would not take the consent of a minor to do surgery. Regardless of what you think, the vet doesn't recognize you as the owner.