Will neutering my dog make him less aggressive?

Question

My 1-1/2 year old Westie is aggressive toward his 4 mo. old son.

Answer 1

simple answer is yes.

Answer 2

The dog is jeleous of your son and no matter what you do the dog will not accept your son, he is under the impression that your son has replaced him and therefor will always be agro towards him.
You could neuter him but it is not going to change the fact that the dog does not like your son.
The only thing I can think of other than getting rid of the dog is to take your 4 month old son outside with you when you feed the dog, and let him get used to the fact that your son is there to stay and if he doesn't come right the take extreme measures. But when you are outside let the two of them get to touch and if the dog growls at your kid chastise him that way he will know that you mean business, but don't hit him because then he will associate your child with punishment and you don't want that

Answer 3

not likely now that he is already 1-1/2 years old. It might work though... but there may be another reason why he is aggressive towards him. Sometimes it just happens that way for a while, till they get used to each other. Remember the dad is not like the mom in caring for the pups.

Answer 4

Yes,I heard that neutering will make them less aggressive because they don't have that instinct for a "date". I also heard it will make them fat and lazy.
Good Luck.
We have a Red-Nosed Pitt-Bull, full grown, we got him when he was a little over a year old, he was already fixed when my husband brought him home. (I was against it, since we have a little girl, she is 6 now, at the time she was only 2 years old). You always hear horror stories about Pitt's. But, here's a good one, he is the sweetest dog ever. He loves everyone. He has never bitten anyone! He just don't like strange dogs in his territory, but what dog does? I have 5 dogs total. 3 small, (Yorkie, Boston Terrier and a Chi mixed) he plays with all of them. I just have to watch him around my daughter because he gets so excited wanting to play, he comes close to knocking her down with his wagging tail!

Answer 5

If the dog is aggressive against such a young baby, you might want to consider getting rid of the dog. It depends on how the dog interacts with the child.

I do know that dogs can be jealous and show aggression when a child is brought into the family. My step mother had to have their older dog put down after biting a cousin of mine not too long after having my half brother.

Answer 6

Neutering is always a good idea.There is absolutely no reason not to.
I would get him neutered and also make sure that when the 4mo old puppy is getting attention that he is as well,this will cut down on jealousy which in this situation is the leading cause aside from what can be remedied via neutering.

Answer 7

probably, unless the dog has always been aggressive. a Westie that age might need a obedience class or 2 to show him whose boss!

Answer 8

It depends, sometimes it can help. But a Westie IS a terrier after all.

Are you sure it is aggression? It is natural for him to be putting the pup in his place.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

yes