I have just had one of my puppies returned at 6 years old. An entire male. I still have his father also still entire. I have introduced him to my other dogs with no problems even my other entire male but the father is really not accepting the new-comer.

I have taken them out and introduced them on neutral territory but the father  immediately starts with the dominant behaviour and if not stopped will launch himself at the son. Father is usually fine with other dogs while we are out on walks so am not really sure why he is reacting like this to his son. The son is living in a kennel outside at the moment and if he is out in the run father just keeps pacing round with his head and tail up glaring at son. Son doesn't react even when father is being aggressie.

Has anyone any ideas how to help them accept each other?

Depending on breed you may never get them to tolerate each other.

Have you thought about a behaviourist to come in and see what they think?

Marianne and others in your breed if it is that one should be able to point you in a better direction(just from having a look at your website)

Hi Sonja
just posting quicly from mobile! I wouldn't even try, I can tell you far too many horror   stories both from myself and others. Often works for a while then one day wham you have a serious fight and serious injuries. Its not a breed where it is likely to work, at least not when you have bitches as well.

I think you're probably best to rehome him and not try and get the sire to accept him - it's unlikely to happen to be honest.  He sees the son as a major threat which he wouldn't dogs outside his pack on walks etc - think of it like a youngster coming in to take over a harem... not good from the older dogs point of view.

I agree it would be best to rehome the dog especially if he was used to being an only dog. I rehomed a 10 y o that I bred & it was a real culture shock for him to be in close contact with my other dogs. He was castrated before he came back but eighteen months later he treats my bitches as his harem to be guarded & wo betide my other 3 males getting close. Not an ideal scenario but luckily the other males turn a blind eye but I take no chances.

Thanks very much everyone. You have all confirmed what I was thinking.  Having had to go through rehoming a girl last year because she didn't get on with the other girls, I really don't want to risk upsetting the pack again. He is such a sweetie so I am sure it won't be long until I find the right home for him.

Having slept on it I am now wondering  if it is worth trying neutering the older dog? I don't particularly want to neuter the younger one as he is a very nice boy, lovely temperament etc and I would like to try showing him, but I could neuter the older one. I have thought about trying suprelorin but the increase in testosterone for the first month may make the situation worse so I would have to go straight for neutering. How would castration at this age affect an older dog? His health is excellent but I don't want to put him through an operation  if there is little likelyhood of it helping the situation.

Castration didn't make any difference to the old dog I had back (except he's not a sex pest with bitches in season) but he is still up for a squabble with other males so that behaviour hasn't changed & tbh I don't think it would with your dog.  I've had other older dogs castrated due to prostate problems so the op isn't a concern for me.

I certainly wouldn't neuter the older dog. He thinks he is top dog as far as the younger one is concerned and is showing the more dominant behaviour. I would always neuter the submissive one to make the gap between two dogs even wider.

How would castration at this age affect an older dog?

It won't change him at all, he will still act the same as the behaviour has been learnt over so many years, and he will also most likely still mate and tie. It won't help within the pack I'm afraid.

Thanks very much. I really like this boy but I do think it is going to be too complicate do keep him. Certainly don't want to put the older guy through an op if it won't help. Will carry on looking for the right home for the son.