Hi,
We have two male Weimaraners, both not neutered. We are having a TERRIBLE problem with their dominant behavior.....growling at each other, what I call the "stand-off", and snapping at each other. This might seem naive, but do we need to have them both neutered to correct this behavior? Please help!!
Thanks!

Hi Guest,

It would be best if you joined the forum as you will be able to provide much more information, therefore receive far greater feedback and also be able to reply to posts that ask you more questions.  It's free and easy to do.

You haven't unfortunately provided much info on your dogs so it is impossible to know how best to advise just now :-(  For example how old are they? are they related? have you had them both since they were puppies?  if they were bought at different times, what was the age, temperament and training status of the first dog like before the new addition?  did you get them both direct from a breeder or did you get one or both from a rehoming /rescue centre etc?  Do they live inside or in kennels?  Are there any obvious specific catalysts to their "sparring" - such as food, toys, attention seeking, sleeping areas, only at home or only on walks, I could go on forever :o

Sorry to answer your question with a string of other ones but there are quite literally hundred of variables at the moment without knowing a lot more about the dogs.

Hope you join and I'm sure you'll get tons of excellent advice!  There are so many ways to deal with what can appear like dominance or jealousy or agression - and it may not be any of them that is the actual problem between your boys.  Plus sometimes it is helpful to get breed specific advice but all the above info (and probably more) will still need to be revealed first <G>

Castration is NEVER the first port of call with male problems (in dogs anyway :D) and can often do much more harm than good - but again, that's something better going through the pros and cons of when we have a clearer picture.

So hit the "join" button, (so that you can add to your post) good luck and look forward to hearing from you with all those answers!

Regards,  Teri  ;-)

It would not be wise to castrate both of them. At the moment they are intact and level in status. If you castrate both they will still be level in status, just minus their bits. Castration of just one dog will provide a difference in status, i.e. one dog more dominant, one dog more submissive. It does not work 100% of the time but if things are getting really difficult & nothing else has worked it may be worthwhile.

The dog that is the LEAST dominant of the two should be the one to be castrated.

It may even be from your post that your dogs are in fact playing; you would not be the first owner to be confused by the sort of OTT behaviour that can occur when that is happening. That's why we need more info :)

Lindsay
X

Male Weimaraners are assertive, competitive dogs hence why most breeders and indeed rescue will strongly advise against two intact males in the house unless you are very experienced; there are of course exceptions, a lot depends on the characters of the individual dogs but in general it is wise to consider a dog of another sex to the one you have already.

You do not mention the ages of the dogs and if they are very close this can be more problemetical than if there is an age gap which could indicate a change in domestic dynamics.

If you would like further assistance why not log on or alternatively try http://www.weimaraner-forum.org.uk where you will find a wealth of knowledge and experience at your fingertips.

HTH