Hi Ludivine

Thank you for the comment and I understand your concern.
First I have to say, you should not feel guilty for doing something you thought was the right thing to do. I also live with neutered dogs and spayed females. This was what I thought was the best to do and now I just have to make all I can to give them the best life possible. Another thing is that my dogs are rescues and it is general practice to spay and neuter rescue dogs in Spain.
Now, if we go in on the effects on the hormonal system we have to know what sex-hormones functions are. In your case we are talking about a female, so we will go in on estrogen.
Estrogen is a hormone that plays various roles in the body. In females, it helps develop and maintain both the reproductive system and female characteristics. Estrogen contributes to cognitive health, bone health, the function of the cardiovascular system, and other essential bodily processes.
Estrogen is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands, and fat tissues. Both female and male bodies have this hormone, but females create more of it. Most of the estrogen production is in the ovaries and when removing them there is a considerable drop in estrogen levels in the body. Apart from putting the whole endocrine system in unbalance it has a menopausic effect on the female and as a result can have issues with:
• Disorders in the pituitary gland
• Thyroid disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Mood changes
• Fatigue
• Decline in serotonin that can lead to depressive states
• Weight gain
• Dementia
I highly recommend to check the interview Dr. Karen Becker held with Dr. Michelle Kutzler on this very topic.
And the video Dr. Karen Becker put out a few years ago.

Thank you again and kind regards,
Jonas

P.D. Your english is not bad at all…

Hi Cris

I would try to contact Dr. E’lise Christensen at behaviorvetsnyc.com
Also check out Kim Brophy on dogdoorcanineservices.com
She is on the same wavelength (more or less) as I and maybe can help you find a trainer in your area.
I know it is hard to find trainers with this approach and that is why I thought it important to write the article.

Thank you for caring about how your resscue is really feeling and not just train.
I wish you best of luck.

Kind regarsds,
Jonas

I am very thankfull for this beautiful articles. I have a Border collie and when she started to run after cycles, balls or other runners, i have decided to propose other activities in ordre to fulfill her needs.
Unfortunately, i fell guilty by reading you, since i am part of the “mad” guys spaying females. And I need more explanation about this sentence : “Altering the hormonal system means leaving the dog unable to manage its emotional life.”
Do you really think that altering the hormonal reproduction system can alter the entire managment of the dogs emotional life ???
I mean, I do not reduce the impact of the gonads resection, but its a little bit reducing for other hormonal systems, isnt it ?
And what about males in heat ? These dogs unable to remember their own name after smelling the smell or females. Are they more able to manage their emotional life than my “ovaryless” female ?

Thanks you for the time spent to reading me.

Ludivine

Thank you Linda

I am happy you have been able to turn and so making your Border a happy dog.

Oh – I am just giving the word. It is your job to spread it. Hehe…

Thanks again,
Jonas