Aggression from other dogs toward my intact dog.

[Potnoodly]

I have 2 dogs. One is neutered (he’s 2 and a half)… The other is not (he was 1 in January).

Today on a run I had to go through a farm with 2 collies. One of them became aggressive towards my intact dog, squaring his back up, blocking him from passing, lots of growling and then eventually snapping at him. I got in between them, but ended up taking my dog off the lead as I felt that he would feel trapped, and at least I give him the choice to run away…. We ran away!!

My other dog was completely ignored! He didn’t exist as far as the other dog was concerned!

My intact dog has had this happen to a lesser extent with family and friends dogs who get close to him. Lots of growling from the other dogs. Nothing from mine.

I remember this happening a couple of times with my other dog too, before the op!… Since then, nothing!

I’m convinced after today that it’s due to him being in tact. He is due to be castrated in August. But in the meantime, how do I deal with this?

My general question is, how do people who don’t castrate their dogs deal with this?

Thanks

It doesn’t happen all the time so sounds like you’ve had a bit of bad luck.
I know a couple of intact male dogs and they don’t really have any issues with aggressive dogs, although the one did get mounted by another intact male last week.

Unfortunately some young entire males do attract aggressive reactions from other dogs. I have no idea why, but it is definitely a 'thing'.
I met a woman with the softest cocker spaniel you could meet, and she said he frequently got duffed up by other dogs. My dog trainer friend's young dog was also often attacked. She had him castrated just after he turned one. It was younger than she would have liked, but she didn't want to subject him to anymore unwanted attention from other males.

My young intact dog gets this sometimes but it seems random. Some dogs aren't bothered at all. I do think there could also be something about general young dog energy that gets other older dogs a bit irritated too.

I'm planning on trying chemical castration before making a decision about whether to neuter him permanently. The thinking has changed around it and it's not necessarily the best thing for all dogs.