Neutering because of aggression from other dogs

[MyDuvetDay]

Has anyone neutered a dog to prevent him being subject to aggression by other dogs?

Ive just had yet another incident where my dog (friendly) was saying “hello” to another dog while on our usual walk and the other dog suddenly flipped and went after mine snarling/biting aggressively. It was so terrifying for me and my dog, and his snout must have got scraped/grazed because there was a small amount of blood. The owner of the other dog was very defensive and basically said it happened because my dog is intact, as if her dog’s behaviour was justified on that basis.

this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this from other dog owners when their dog has snarled or had a go at mine. Mine was bitten by another male dog last year.

so while we weren’t planning to neuter our dog, I’m wondering if doing so would help protect him from this kind of aggression. Has anyone had a similar experience or have any advice?

The easiest, and safest thing to do is to just stop letting your dog interact with neutered males.

My dogs (male) are intact and a boarding facility told me that they were vulnerable to attack by neutered and spayed dogs because their scent is foreign or something.

I can't remember the exact reasoning he gave but I didn't really listen to him because I wasn't going to board my dogs there, again. Not through any fault of his, just preference and circumstance etc.

Additionally, I have not confirmed his hypothesis with professionals.

So, if there may be truth to it, you'll have to make a decision regarding overall pros/cons of neutering depending on your dogs breed, age, exposure to other dogs etc.

I don’t think that would be easy at all. It would mean keeping him on a lead and not allowing him to interact with any dogs since it’s impossible for me to tell whether a dog that we’re walking towards/walking past is neutered.

Are you a registered breeder, using your dog as a stud?

I wouldn’t jump to neutering. I would see a behaviourist. It could be that the way he is approaching these dogs is “off”. What you see as friendly the dogs may see as rude.
There is an implant that would be temporary and would show if neutering could help longer term.

Surely not allowing your dog to greet any dog is just responsible dog ownership.

I always keep my dogs on a lead. They have never been off lead for their safety.

No. Why?

I raised a guide dog puppy about a year or so ago and he started to get aggression from other dogs as he neared 12 months of age, then he got castrated at 12 months and the aggression stopped.

Got my own puppy now (same breed, Labrador) and I'm intending to castrate him shortly after he reaches a year old, especially if we start seeing this sort of aggressive behaviour from other dogs. It is a joy to see them run around off the lead and I wouldn't want to stop him from being able to do that for no good reason.

I hadn’t thought about keeping him on a lead to protect him from aggressive dogs but I guess that’s something I need to consider now. It’s a shame because running freely through our local fields and woods and playing with other friendly dogs is pretty much what he lives for

I do think the "my dog attacked your dog because your dog is entire" brigade are just victim blaming.

Train your own dog, keep your dog away from dogs they do not know if they are worried by certain dogs. Dont expect the whole population of dogs to be neutered because your dog has an issue.

I have three entire dogs, they have not been attacked for being entire. Other owners have given this as a reason on a few occasions but then I see their dog go onto attack my bitch go figure!

In Norway and Germany it is illegal to castrate dogs - they do not have more aggression than countries that allow castration.

I don't agree with the advice to keep dogs on the lead all the time, don't think that could be good for their physical or emotional health.

Nothing wrong with letting dogs off the lead as long as they have good recall. I would consider getting yours castrated though if he's old enough, as it does reduce the aggression from other male dogs.

It’s a myth that dogs need to socialise on walks.
our dog is unpredictable with other dogs (also intact) so we minimise his interactions with dogs he doesn’t know.
He has some dogs that we know that he’s fine with.
like you, it’s usually other dogs reaction to him that would cause any unwanted behaviour.
we let ours off in the fields we walk but recall him and put him on lead if we see another dog.
it’s really not that hard.

Whether or not OP is a breeder is rather irrelevant! These days there is lots of advice on particular breeds regarding the (significantly higher) risks of neutering v. leaving a dog 'natural'. The latest advice is that no Golden Retrievers should be spayed or neutered (ever) because it increases the risk of cancer so astronomically. Other breeds, including Dobermans, have similar recommendations.

My boy isn't castrated, and he won't be. He's been attacked once or twice in two years but he's robust enough he literally does not care. Dogs don't need to say hello to dogs on every walk - a few walks without greeting other dogs is probably a good thing for them. In-tact does are perfectly fine off the lead assuming they have decent training, know not to go up to greet other dogs, and are robust enough to handle a little telling off every now and then.

I think a good compromise - as some of you have suggested - is to allow him to be off lead but keep him away from unfamiliar dogs by exercising recall and not always saying hello to other dogs. His recall is good, but not always rock solid so we’re going to have to work on that and tighten up our walking practices

he’s resilient and bounces back quickly from these kinds of altercations but I can’t bear to see him get hurt and don’t want to be cavalier and wait for another incident to happen

My dog isn't aggressive but he definitely doesn't like young unneutered males. So to be sure and on the safe side, I won't let him go up to any dog that I don't know. You haven't said how old yours is though but me personally don't understand why you wouldn't neuter. I think the increased risk of cancer is a lot of maybes and possibles tbh.

@Kadiofakit just to say this again: The latest advice is that no Golden Retrievers should be spayed or neutered (ever) because it increases the risk of cancer so astronomically. Other breeds, including Dobermans, have similar recommendations.

This is actual scientific evidence. Not 'maybes and possibles.' It's not every breed, but it is some.

Just to say, personally, my family have bred Goldens for 50 years. None of ours have ever been spayed or castrated, and none have ever had cancer 😊

That survey singled out Golden Retrievers particularly. The chances are that OPs dog is not a Golden Retriever. If they are then yes, they probably shouldn’t get them neutered.

Actually we know nothing about this dogs breed or age so the answers can only be general.

Mine will be 2 years old in July, so close to being physically mature (definitely not mentally!). We have considered the pros and cons of castration and discussed it with our vet and with our breeder as there are some breed-specific considerations. We decided that we would adopt a wait-and-see approach but would not castrate unless there was a good reason to. So I’m thinking about whether this issue of other dogs being aggressive is a good reason.

I was specifically responding to that poster saying all the information is 'maybes and possibles'. Dobermans were also included in that research 😊

And certainly, OPs dog may not be a Golden Retriever, but it could be one of the breeds were neutering is just a bad idea. And having just read OPs latest post, it certainly sounds like OPs dog is one of those breeds where it's not a simple 'chop it off and hope for the best' situation.

He’s a Wirehaired Vizsla

I would still want to wait. It would be worth seeing a behaviourist. It could be that he’s a big dog. Bouncy? They can be a bit stiff in body language and some dogs don’t know how to read them. Let him play with dogs he knows well. For strange dogs I would avoid or do the quick greet and keep moving. (I’m no behaviourist tho!)

I know of three entire males, who were regularly attacked. Two were neutered and the attacks stopped. One is still entire. He must be about 5 years old now, and his owner says he is still 'duffed up' on a regular basis. She doesn't want to neuter him, as she says he's a lovely boy with no behavioural issues. But all walks are stressful, as she's constantly on the look out for other dogs. It must be affecting both of their qualities of life.

Other dogs having an issue with unneutered males is definitely a thing. But, it’s the other owners’ issue not yours.

I’m fairly pro neutering in general but do it on a case by case basis and tbh, I don’t know that other owners not properly controlling their dog would ever be on my for list for neutering.

I would just not let him mix with unknown dogs, if that means a bit more on lead time till you work on his recall then it’s not the end of the world.

Very similar to my Weimaraner.
He’s often being singled out but some of it is possibly because of his size.
small dogs in particular seem to want to have a go at him.
we’ve been advised by several vets not to neuter unless there is a medical reason.
I think other dogs attitude to yours wouldn’t warrant it for me.
as I said up thread , we just manage his interactions.
He’s now three and shows no signs of maturity yet.
I think, particularly at two, you might be jumping the gun.
I’m also wary of neutering because it can make things worse rather than better.
Why take the chance if you can’t guarantee that it would change the situation.
At the very least I’d wait a year