Editing Neutering (section)

===Current research===
Various studies of the effects neutering has overall on male and female dog aggression have been unable to arrive at a consensus. A possible reason for this according to two studies is changes to [[Dog aggression#Factors contributing to aggression|other factors]] have more of an effect than neutering.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Kobelt A. J.|author2=Hemsworth P. H.|author3=Barnett J. L.|author4=Coleman G. J. |title=A survey of dog ownership in suburban Australia-conditions and behaviour problems |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=2003 |volume=82 |pages=137–148 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(03)00062-5|issue=2}}</ref><ref name="Casey">{{Cite journal|author=Casey R. A.|author2=Loftus B.|author3=Bolster C.|author4=Richards G. J.|author5=Blackwell E. J. |title=Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=March 2014  | volume=152 |pages=52–63 |doi=10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.003|hdl=10983/14199|hdl-access=free}}</ref> One study reported results of aggression towards familiar and strange people and other dogs reduced between 10 and 60 percent of cases,<ref>[http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com/effects_of_neutering.html The Effects of Spaying and Neutering on Canine Behavior] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022175541/http://www.associationofanimalbehaviorprofessionals.com/effects_of_neutering.html |date=22 October 2014 }} James O’Heare, Association of Animal Behavior Professionals</ref> while other studies reported increases in possessive aggression<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Guy N. C.|author2=Luescher U. A.|author3=Dohoo S. E.|author4=Spangler E.|author5=Miller J. B|author6=Dohoo I. R.|author7=Bate L. A. |title=A case series of biting dogs: characteristics of the dogs, their behaviour, and their victims |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=2001 |volume=74 |pages=15–57 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00155-1}}</ref> and aggression towards familiar and strange people,<ref name="Takeuchi">{{Cite journal|author=Takeuchi Y.|author2= Ogata N.|author3=Houpt J. A.|author4=Scarlett J. M. |title=Differences in background and outcome of three behavior problems of dogs |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=2001 |volume=70 |pages=297–308 |doi=10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00156-8 |pmid=11179553 |issue=4}}</ref> and more studies reported there was no significant difference in aggression risk between neutered and non-neutered males.<ref name="Casey"/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Neilson J.|author2=Eckstein R.|author3=Hart B. |title=Effects on castration on problem behaviors in male dogs with reference to age and duration of behavior |journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association |date=1997 |volume=211 |issue=2 |pages=180–182 |doi=10.2460/javma.1997.211.02.180 |pmid=9227747}}</ref> For females with existing aggression, many studies reported increases in aggressive behavior<ref name="Polsky">{{Cite journal|author=Polsky R. H. |title=Recognizing dominance aggression in dogs |journal=Veterinary Medicine |date=1996 |volume=91 |pages=196–201}}</ref><ref name="Blackshaw">{{Cite journal|author=Blackshaw, J.K. |title=An overview of types of aggressive behavior in dogs and methods of treatment |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=1991 |volume=30 |pages=351–361 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(91)90140-S|issue=3–4}}</ref><ref name="Wright">{{Cite journal|author=Wright J. C. |title=Canine aggression toward people. Bite scenarios and prevention |journal=Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice |date=1991 |volume=21 |issue=2 |pages=299–314 |pmid=2053252 |doi=10.1016/s0195-5616(91)50034-6}}</ref><ref name="Crowell">{{Cite journal|author=Crowell-Davis S. L. |title=Identifying and correcting human-directed dominance aggression of dogs |journal=Veterinary Medicine |date=1991 |volume=86 |pages=990–998}}</ref> and some found increased separation anxiety behavior.<ref name="Takeuchi"/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Podberscek A. L.|author2=Serpell J. A. |title=The English Cocker Spaniel: preliminary findings on aggressive behaviour |journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |date=1996 |volume=47 |issue=1–2 |pages=75–89 |doi=10.1016/0168-1591(95)01012-2}}</ref> A report from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation reported significantly more behavioral problems in castrated dogs. The most commonly observed behavioral problem in spayed females was fearful behavior and the most common problem in males was aggression.<ref>Meuten D. J. ''Tumors in Domestic Animals''. 4th Edn. Iowa State Press, Blackwell Publishing Company, Ames, Iowa, p. 575</ref> Early age gonadectomy is associated with an increased incidence of noise phobias and {{clarify span|undesirable sexual behaviors|date=September 2013}}.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Spain C. V. | author2 = Scarlett J. M. | author3 = Houpt K. A. | date = 2004 | title = Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in dogs | journal = Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | volume = 224 | issue = 3| pages = 380–387 | doi = 10.2460/javma.2004.224.380 | pmid = 14765797 | s2cid = 11696126 | doi-access = free }}</ref>