Hi, I posted a message earlier on the new members board. The problem I am having is one of my pups came back home back in April at 9 months old as his owners lost interest. I have the mum, dad and brother who all get on fine, the problem is the 2 brothers and dad they cannot sort there places out in the pack, we have real bad fighting and scent marking all over the house, Leo the Dad dislikes him the most, Louis his brother plays with him but has the odd fight, but Louis seems to be the one laying the first scent markings then Ben covers it. My thought is to have Ben castrated so Louis and Leo dont feel threatened, this has been going on for 6 months and they still havent sorted things out, I hope someone can help.

Can anyone help at all?

Melody :)

I replied to your original message - from the information you've given here it sounds as if Leo is the one who is most like his Dad and Dad feels challenged. If this is the case, the Leo would be the one to get castrated - but you then run the risk of this dropping him down the 'pecking order' so far that he then starts to feel the need to assert himself over Louis........ :( This is one of the reasons why it's so difficult to home 2 pups together, or to keep a male pup with the father, their similarities make them constantly challenge one another. I really think you need to think long and hard about keeping all three of them together and take some advice from a behaviourist who understands how these things work, who can come and observe the dogs to see if you have a chance of getting them to live peaceably together.

Good luck

Hi Digger,
Thanks for your advice. Ive booked Ben, the pup that came back to us in for a castration tommorow. Ive watched them all closely for months and Leo the dad feels threatened, Louis his brother plays with him but it can get nasty also they do alot of scent marking around the house. Also when a fight kicks off with Ben/brother or Ben/father then the other won sticks up for the other so it is usually 2 onto Ben, then he usually backs down. As you can tell I have my hands full, but I do love them dearly. I watch the other dogs and how the go on Lulu(Bens Mum) who is top dog just has to look at them and they run, she is fine with Ben. Also we have Harry(neutered) he plays with Ben great no problems. One more thing Leo(dad) has been growling at us too if we try to brake the fight up. Well hope Im doing the right thing ? .

Thanks Again Vicki (Really ShihTzu Mad)