10/06/2026
This might be unpopular, but it's something I've seen time and time again.
Many owners are told that castrating their dog will fix behavioural issues such as reactivity, anxiety, overexcitement, or a lack of focus.
The reality is often much more complicated
In my own behaviour work, I've worked with plenty of dogs and their guardians that never needed castration to make progress.
What they needed was;
✅️ Better guidance
✅️ Appropriate outlets
✅️ Clearer communication
✅️ Confidence building
✨️ A training plan tailored to them as an individual
I've also worked with dogs that were castrated before I became involved because it had been recommended as a solution to their behaviour 💔😫
In a lot cases, not only did it fail to resolve the issue, the behaviour actually became worse
Why?
Because reactivity isn't always driven by hormones
Anxiety isn't always driven by hormones
Fear isn't always driven by hormones
If a dog is struggling because they're worried, overwhelmed, lacking confidence, or simply don't know how to cope with their environment, removing testosterone doesn't automatically solve those underlying emotions.
That's not to say castration is never appropriate.
There are genuine medical reasons and individual circumstances where it may be the right choice.
But it shouldn't be viewed as a shortcut to training or a cure for behaviour problems.
Before making any permanent decision, ask yourself:
❓️Are we addressing the cause of the behaviour?
Or
❓️are we hoping surgery will fix something that training, management, and understanding should be addressing instead?
🐾 Have you noticed a behavioural change after castration - for better or worse?
Share your experience below 👇
