Help! Nueter one or both!?

Question

Took my two dogs ( 2 brothers - 2 years old ) to the vet yesterday for prescreen/shots before neuter next week. I've been having dominance issues between the two. The vet suggested I neuter only one dog - leaving the dominate dog intact. He said that having an alpha dog is the natural heirarchy and leaving him this way would promote household harmony.

I'm not sure about this and think that behavior mod. such as first feed, first pet ect..( to emphasize alpha traits ) may be the way to go. Any suggestions?

Thanks.....dog lover!

Answer 1

I think that this may be one of those questions that if you took a survey you'd be amazed at the varied responses. I would suggest that you call around to a few vet offices and ask the question as in seeking a second opinion. You'll still have to make your own decision but at least you'll feel better about it. You could try with one dog neutered and see how it goes...you'd still have the option of taking the other dog. We usually only have neutered males but now we have a 10y/o that is neutered and a 3y/o intact. The older male is in charge and they do great together. We realize that a shift in leadership will be coming and wonder how that will go. We feed,pet etc the older dog first.

Answer 2

I can't believe a vet would say this! Even if you have 2, 3, or 15 neutered males in a house, they still establish their own hierarchy. Neutering isn't going to stop that. What it should curtail is the fighting, but you still need to do some training with them.

I wouldn't be going back to this vet. By the way, you're right about feeding, petting, etc. the dominant dog first. It will help them if you go along with what they establish between themselves.

Answer 3

neuter both. You don't want an alpha dog, the way you need to lay down the law is that YOU are alpha, not them. sounds weird but it's true.

also, they will both be much calmer and less agressive if you neuter them.

give them both the same attention, and whenever they fight or display dominancy, yell at them and show you dissaprove of any other dominant behavior, and they will quickly realize you are dominant not them.

In the future, they will probably still try to display dominancy when you aren't looking, so even try sneaking up on them every once in a while while they are alone.
good luck!

Answer 4

Your vet is VERY WRONG!!!!! Get both of these dogs neutered asap!!! Neutering will NOT disrupt normal dog "heirarchy" in the least. it willactually help promote better harmony in the household. In addition both dogs will be much healthier and longer lived to say nothing of happier.
Before this vet gives out behavior advice he should STUDY dog behavior and know exactly what it is he is talking about. I recommend seeking out another vet.

Answer 5

that's a very strange answer coming from a vet, but maybe he had his reasons. i would recommend doing both, neutering each of them, AND utilizing behavior modification or conditioning principles. the point is that neither of your dogs are the alpha in your household, it's YOU. besides, neutering will calm both dogs down and prevent behavioral problems such as indoor urination or potential fights with other dogs. it's also healthier. i'm going to assume that your dogs are not for breeding, so you've probably never seen them around a female in heat before. trust me... NOT a situation you want to deal with. the dogs become frustrated, obsessed, and in general, not happy.

and in case you were considering breeding one of them to "make your money back," just keep in mind that the female's owners have the right to sell the puppies. you only get a stud fee. also, even the female's owner won't be making their money back, only breaking even after the costs of pre-natal care for the mother. the purpose of breeding is only to improve a breed according to its standards, which is why there's no real money in it.

Answer 6

Its unusual to suggest leaving the dominant dog intact. The dominant dog is the one most likely to have behavioural issues later. Alpha traits are the things you actually want to train out of your dog because YOU are the alpha person and you dont want a dog challenging you for the position. I would personally have any male dog i own neutered any way, you dont want them marking their territory, roaming or possibly fathering litters of pups, do you?

Answer 7

I would get both neutured. I am surprised that your vet would say that. If both dogs are fixed, they will still work out dominance. Getting them fixed is also a good idea for health reasons. They will live longer and not contribute to the pet overpopulation. I also noticed that after I got my dog fixed, her was a little easier to housetrain, a lot calmer around other dogs, didn't run off as often, and that now I can take him places without worrying that he will spray. Good luck with your pups and make what decision you think is best.

Answer 8

Get them both fixed. I think I can see your vets point, but I don't believe it is worth the dogs health. I don't think a dog has to be intact to establish its role. If you don't get one of the dogs fixed, be prepared for puppies, humping, marking territory, etc...

My vet as told me about dogs breaking out windows to get to a female dog in heat, so don't think just because your dog is inside, it can't cause problems.

I also think that if you get both dogs fixed, your other dog might not be as dominate anymore and you won't have so many issues. Not to mention, neutered dogs live longer.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Fix them both.

A neutered dog can still be dominant. Neutering will eliminate some of the reasons for fighting and aggression but will not completely change the dog's personality.

My old dog was very dominant over other dogs---he was neutered before he was 1.

Answer 10

I can't imagine why any vet would ask you not neuter a dog. First I would find another vet and then I would have both dogs neutered. Your a re right about the first feed, first pet idea.