neutering for 2 fighting males-urgent decision - Page 2

Neutering after this behavior has already taken root is useless. Neutering has too many health repercussions, IMO. The only thing to do is keep them separated. It is a myth that neutering will "fix" problems like this. Possibly, if neutered pre-puberty, they don't develop, but trying it now will do more harm than good.

Hi Klekoni,

there is plenty of research that suggests that neutering males can reduce male-male aggression, whereas with bitches, it can exacerbate it.

Your problem is probably 2 fold - the males are almost the same age and both are feeling their oats and in the prime of their lives. The fact that the older male came into an established pack is probably the second problem. Your younger male feels that his #1 position is threatened and since they are so close in age there is no resolution to their fight, nothing is finalised. Males dont usually bear grudges like bitches will, a few scraps usually sorts things out, but I would not be relying on this, you could end up with maimed or dead dogs.

As others have said, this is a management issue. But I cant see any harm in neutering the pair of them, you'll at least eliminate possible future testicular cancer. If you still have problems, you'll have to physically manage them or re-home one before someone is seriously injured.

Sometimes dogs just plain old hate each other and nothing you can do will ever resolve it. Then one of them has to go for your piece of mind.

Scoutk9, I have to disagree, neutering before the dog is mature does more harm as far as development, please tell me what harm you think neutering a mature male will do?  IMO, all pet quality males should be neutered after they mature.

{ "I am not an expert,the literature is full with suggestions......."}

i am speaking from experience while you are still testing theories.  neutering does not change character and will not eliminate the fights.  as i said before, the only way to stop that is to separate the dogs.

pjp

ziegenfarm

Don't you think that is a closed-minded statement, to say, "the only way to stop that"?  I know the great Dog Whisperer  would disagree with that statement.

you know, it seems to me that a lot of times people already have their minds made up when they post questions on this board.  they aren't looking for answers and certainly aren't looking for anyone to dispute their theories.  what they are looking for is someone who will support their plans.  i'm not saying, 'don't neuter the dogs.'  what i am saying is that it won't end the problems and it is foolish to believe that it will.

pjp

I agree with every statement you just made.

I believe if I disliked someone already and then they had me "fixed", I would most likey not only still dislike this individual but also the one who had me "fixed". 

I agree 100% with Ziegenfarm. I've had purebred dogs since 1969, have had plenty of dog fights and have been bitten more than once trying to break them up; one bite was very severe and my daughter was also badly bitten in the face.  We always ended up with more injuries than the dogs. If you have kids in your household you need to be especially careful and instruct them what to do in the event of a dog fight. In my experience, once dogs have a real down and dirty fight, that's it.  If they just give one another "the look" and grumble, neutering and training might help, but IMO those are the warning signs that a real fight is just around the corner.

Too bad that breeders don't warn buyers of the potential danger of bringing a same sex dog into the pack. If you decide to do that, you should always have a plan B designed to keep them separated should they decide to have at one another.

Ziegenfarm is right, and your family is at risk. when they are in a down and out fight, they have no idea who they are fighting and do not care. I have a girl friend who lives in a "house divided" she uses 1 room to crate and has baby gates on all doors. It is very funny to see them accidently in the same room, one of them will immed. come tell her (they are older now). When they pass each other, they barely tolerate and are watchful for one to give the "evil eye". Even with very carefully setting up their home, when the dogs were younger accidents happened and they are missing their "jewels", this did not stop them in any way. Only age gave them some, an I mean some, tolerance. By the way one of those accidents landed her husband in the Hospitial for a few days.