Should You Wait to Train Your Dog Until After They’re Spayed or Neutered?

A common question we hear from new dog owners is: “Should I wait until after my dog is spayed or neutered to start training?”

At Sunshine K9 Training, our answer is simple: no—start now.

Why People Think They Should Wait

There’s a common misconception that intact dogs are “too distracted” to learn, or that training “won’t stick” until after spay/neuter. The truth is, training and spay/neuter are two separate conversations. Surgery changes your dog’s reproductive system, not their brain’s ability to learn.

Often, the hesitation comes from good intentions—owners want to “do things in the right order.” But by waiting, they’re actually missing the most important window of their dog’s development.

Critical Learning Windows in Puppies

Behavioral science shows that dogs have what’s called a critical socialization period from about 3–16 weeks of age. During this time, their brains are especially receptive to new experiences, rules, and training. Puppies who are introduced to structure, handling, and basic obedience during this stage are far more likely to grow into confident, well-adjusted adults.

Even after that period closes, dogs remain highly capable of learning throughout their lives. But the habits they form early—good or bad—create the foundation. If training is delayed until after spay/neuter (typically 6–18 months of age), you miss out on the easiest stage to shape behaviors.

Hormones and Behavior

Hormones can influence behavior, especially as dogs enter adolescence. You may notice things like increased marking, mounting, roaming tendencies, or reactivity. However, these behaviors are not permanent “personality traits.” They’re manageable and trainable.

Spaying or neutering may reduce some hormone-driven behaviors, but it doesn’t replace training. A dog that jumps, pulls, or ignores recall will still do those things after surgery unless you’ve invested time in teaching them differently.

In fact, research on canine learning shows that intact dogs learn at the same rate as altered dogs. Their capacity to understand obedience, boundaries, and manners doesn’t depend on whether they’ve had surgery—it depends on how consistently their owners provide structure and guidance.

The Cost of Waiting

Every time your dog rehearses an unwanted behavior—whether it’s lunging on leash, barking for attention, or counter-surfing—they’re strengthening that habit. Neuroscience refers to this as “neurons that fire together, wire together.” The longer a behavior is practiced, the harder it becomes to extinguish later, even if the dog is altered.

Put simply: waiting gives bad habits a head start.

Our Recommendation

Don’t wait. Start training as soon as you bring your dog home. Puppies as young as 8 weeks old can begin learning foundation skills like name recognition, leash pressure, crate training, and marker words. Older dogs—even seniors—can still learn, but the sooner you start, the smoother the process.

Your veterinarian is the best guide for decisions about spay and neuter timing, but training should never be delayed.

👉 Bottom line: Spaying or neutering is a health and lifestyle choice. Training is a communication and relationship choice. They don’t depend on each other. The earlier you begin training, the more opportunities you’ll have to build trust, prevent unwanted behaviors, and set your dog up for success—no matter their age or reproductive status.

Ripley the Great Dane, learning name recognition at eight weeks old just one day after we brought her home.

References

• Freedman, D. G., King, J. A., & Elliot, O. (1961). Critical period in the social development of dogs. Science, 133(3457), 1016–1017.

• Scott, J. P., & Fuller, J. L. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. University of Chicago Press.

• Appleby, D. L., Bradshaw, J. W. S., & Casey, R. A. (2002). Relationship between aggressive and avoidance behaviour by dogs and their experience in the first six months of life. Veterinary Record, 150(14), 434–438.

• Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). Social cognition in the domestic dog: behaviour of spectators towards participants in an imitation task. Animal Behaviour, 63(5), 839–845.

• Sherman, B. L., & Mills, D. S. (2008). Canine anxieties and phobias: an update on separation anxiety and noise aversions. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 38(5), 1081–1106.

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). (2008). AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization.