Hi, I have an 11mth Goldie who has taken to growling at younger dogs. As we are planning to have another puppy early next year, this is obviously of concern to us. Is castration the answer? If so, when would be the ideal time to have it done?
Ps: He is a relatively dominant dog and needed firm handling when he was younger as he started to growl/snap at my partner who he regarded as a play-mate.

hi there

The thing to remember is that not all "aggressive" behaviour is related to hormones. Often it is due to conflict, uncertainty or fear, but we humans tend to feel growling is the behaviour of an opportunist dog.

Ask yourselves a feew questions toget to the bottom of why he is like he is, and try to see things from thedog's point of view.

As an example, has he met lots of different dogs in lots ofdifferent places? Was he at a puppy class where there were a lotof free-for-alls?(Often causes problems later). Did he get socialised to other dogs/pups? Have you reprimanded him for growling at a pup when in fact he was simply asserting his authority, and now he associates pups with conflict and displeasingyou, yet his instinct still tells him t o sort out the hierarchy with the pup?

Very few dogs are dominant in the true sense of the word, i.e. in that they want totake over the lead role in the pack. It would be interestng to know how you and your partner reacted when your Goldie growled and snapped at you - did you shout at him or hit him? This is the normal human reaction but tends to cause a confused dog, who may even appear to "learn" but then his frustration is bottled up.

Forgive me for reading between the lines a littelhere, but I feel that it would be a good idea to invest in a behaviourist so that you can sort out the trouble. The behaviurist will then also show you how to implement programme so that the dog knws exactly what is required of him, in a way that he can understand.

If you would like to try this, take a look at apdt.co.uk (this is for trainers but some of them also are experienced behaviourists) or try the Association of pet BehaviourCounsellors on 01386-751151.

Please be very careful, as there is a "trainer" who advertises in magazines who has actually killed a pet Sheltie with his methods and he is a member of a well-known organisation.

Can I also say that most good behaviourists are not expensive for what you get back, and if you are insured then the company will often "shell out".

Well that's my two pence worth anyway! Good luck, let usknow what you think.

best wihses
Linldsay