I have 2 West highland whites. Both are male and aged 6 months and 9 months. They obviously adore each other, but when it comes to food and attention they really begin to fight. I am seeking advice as to castration. My vet advises that are both are done, but I have also heard that only one should be done so there is a TOP DOG. I would welcome any advice!!

Hi Jane,
If both your dogs are castrated, it is likely the conflict will continue, because their status to each other will be unchanged. Ideally you need to work out which of your dogs is higher-ranking than the other, and castrate the lower ranking dog to make the difference in status more marked. Then there is less likelihood that they will fight for superiority.

In the meantime, I would try to feed them apart from each other, in different rooms if need be, to try to reduce the competition over food.

Hope this helps.
:)

Hi,

Thanks for that advice. I have tried the feeding apart, but they become so frantic when they are separated that they won't eat! I will persevere with that one though and hope it begins to make a difference. With the castration, I'll work out which one is higher in ranking, although at times, they appear to be about the same.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Another thought is that the older one is certainly entering adolescence, and maybe the younger one too, so things are likely to get worse before they get better. If you can do more things with them separately - short (5 minute) walks, etc - it will help in the long run, though they may get extremely miffed on each other's return.
:)

Why not try feeding them separate, but using a stair gate in the doorway between them, that way they can both see each other still

I always advise any one with more than one dog to get each one used to being on it's own, and going out and about without it's canine buddy, regardless of how well (or not) the dogs get on......... When you have two dogs it's very easy for them to become reliant on each other and to not be able to function without each other - which can lead to problems (as you have found) when one or the other has to be seperated.
For your dogs own good - get them used to feeding on their own, and just being alone for short periods of time - it could save a lot of heartache sooner or later ;-)

All of my dogs are fed in separate rooms with doors closed, dogs and bitches and they are walked seperately, mainly due to the fact that i'm only small and cannot cope with two or more Akitas on leads lol. When i go out i leave them all in separate rooms also, this keeps them used to being alone for short periods and they all get a big romp in the garden together when i get home.
I haven't had a single problem with any of them fighting yet (touch wood) and i put it down to eliminating the start of an argument before it has time to kick up. I'm sure i will have a problem somewhere along the line but so far this has all worked for me.
Hope you find a solution soon x

If you're not sure which of them is Top dog, watch to see which of them goes through a doorway first. I usually find that this is a good way of checking.
Keep us posted on what happens-good luck
Ali:)