Oh well it has finally happened and I have had to face the fact that I need to have my older BC castrated.  He is 15 months and we weren't going to unless something became a problem.  For about the last 6 weeks or so he has been going for dogs rather nastily.  He is lovely with every other dog but if it is an intact male he goes full throttle for it which means that I am on my guard continually during the walk.  Its no fun for him and certainly not for me. 

Well it may make no difference or it could make matters worse, it is probable just a teenage thing but if you are determined to castrate anyway best check that it will not make him worse or make no difference ask you vet to give him a Tardac injection.

It may be that the hormones and this behavior have already programmed his brain to stay on this course. It does happen. Neutering may not help. But I don't think it will make it worse and it might very well help. One of my dogs was not neutered very early (I was going to hold off) and started that male dog aggressive stuff and then I neutered him and from then on he was great. I can't remember how old he was though. It was a long time ago, but he was older than 6 or 7 months for sure. Since that time, I've always neutered my dogs by 6 or 7 months or thereabouts AND never had a problem, behaviorally or health wise.
Good luck

Carrie

One of the times it makes matters worse is if the dog see some others as a threat and that is why he is adopting the fight first attitude, a sort of fight first and make it clear your are big and tough. If the owner can work out if this is the case all well and good but a Tardec injection will let the owner know if castration will help or if it will make either no difference or the situation worse. As you say some dogs are just like that, the most aggressive one I have is a bitch, who is 10 times worse since she was spayed but that is not unusual in an already prickly bitch, she can not stand being looked at by a passing dog.

Cutting his balls off will not stop him attacking other dogs, guarantee it.  Sorry for the bluntness, but I really cannot see why people cut off testicles to try to stop a dog biting?
Dawn.

Have to agree that in most cases is correct Dawn, most intact dogs will warn off any dog they see as a rival but it does not normaly come to blood letting. Some dogs just take a dislike to particular dogs and that can be for any number of reasons, may be like people, some are just difficult to get on with. Think in this case it may be teenage bluster and will pass if discouraged or it could be preasure from the younger pup being taken out on strange dogs, if it is this then a Tardac jab may help until he grows up a bit.

Dawn,

Some intact dogs are naturally agressive to other intact dogs, in particular if there are bitches in season anywhere within scenting distance.  I read recently that a dog can smell a bitch who is in season up to five miles away from her.  It is certainly not the only reason for dog on dog aggression, but it is one of them. 

Jackie's suggestion was a very good one.   Stop hormone production chemically to see if they are the cause, if the aggression stops, then go ahead and neuter.  If the aggression does not stop, then take the dog off the chemicals and deal with the problem another way.

Stacey

I know what a lot of you are saying but this is not a decision I have taken lightly.  I have spoken to my trainer who is also a behaviourist.  He is only having a go at intact dogs and nothing more and I am afraid it is not going to stop at just snarling.  This is just not like my boy as he is one of the friendliest dogs I have ever owned and is an absolute delight - this is the first boy that I havent castrated in light of recent thinking so please dont think I havent researched this because I have and I believe that I am making the right and correct decision for me and my dog. As to waiting and seeing if he grows out of this - sorry but I am not willing to take the chance of him actually doing some serious damage to a dog and maybe coming out of it injured! I have spoken to my vet about the chemical side of things and are going to discuss it with him further on Thursday at our appointment we have.  If he recommends trying that first then that is what I will do.

Well of course, the decision is yours to make and the results are yours to deal with, but you asked the question so if you had made up your mind we are all wasting our time suggesting that it may not do as you wish. It may of course and I hope it does.

Have just re-read your post and you did not ask a question you just made a statement, so sorry I replied there was no need to respond and I will read more carefully in future.

Well, sometimes even though there is not a specific question, but obviously there's something on the poster's mind. Sometimes they just need some talk, support or ideas. Who know's....there could be something someone says that they never thought of or that might change their course of their intended action. It's amazing how one little event can change the outcome of almost any given scenerio or one little word. I think she posted to get some feed back. I could be wrong. But advice is not always the main thing....just feed back or a little chat. Hope that clears things up a tad.

Carrie

I agree. My westie, Angus, is 2.5 years old and complete and he is as docile and soft as any dog you are likely to meet. But once he did have a right go at Scottie, which was embarrassing as it is owned by a work colleague, but it was down to the Scottie not being controlled properly.  Rather, he controls the owner not the other way round as far as I can see.

Angus meets all types of male dogs on his walks and he never gets "stroppy" with them. I personally think its down to the individual dog's personality, much like humans.

John

thank you for all your posts.  I wasnt asking whether it was the right thing to do but was feeling a little apprehensive so just feedback and comments really and wasnt expecting the backlash that I got.  Sorry if I didnt write my post effectively enough to convey that.  It is hard to convey what you are thinking when there is just words. 

If I thought for a second this was a one off I would leave it but it is every time we meet an intact male simple as that.  I even ask the owners whether they are intact after he has had a go.  It is the only time that his recall goes to pot which is otherwise cracking. 

it has been a hard decision to make and one that I had hoped I wouldnt have to make but that's life.  It throws things at us at times just to make life more challenging.  Just so you all know I dont just make decisions like this I do have another dog who is intact as well.  I do not just rush in and decide to have all my dogs done as I believe that it should be decided on each individual case.  I have owned dogs since a teenager and only ever had two castrated for similar reasons. I am not willing to take the chance that it gets out of hand and maybe a child gets involved as I would never forgive myself. 

I am sorry if I offended anyone by sounding offhand and terse with my first reply, it wasnt supposed to sound like that.

Claire

"I am sorry if I offended anyone by sounding offhand and terse with my first reply, it wasnt supposed to sound like that."

It didn't sound like anything close.....not to my ears.

Hi Claire hope your vet consultation tomorrow is positive about a trial of Tardac - itll set your mind at rest about castration if it works. It takes a mature person to admit they have to change their minds on a subject, and to consider others as you have. Ill be interested to hear what you decide to do.