My 6 month old golden retreiver loves going to the dog park. He is social with both dogs and people; however this last weekend when I took him several other dogs got agressive with him. I know it scared him and one dog owner told me it's because I need to get him fixed. Is that true and if so, are there any resonable places to get it done besides my expensive vet? (CA - Ventura County).
2007-03-27 08:13:23 · 14 answers · asked by BAYLOR 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Nueter him because you don't plan on studding him, not because of what the person told you at the dog park. Which is not true. Actually the testosterone would probably make him more aggressive as he gets older. At about 6 years and older you may want to nueter him because the cancer risk becomes an issue at that age.
2007-03-27 08:21:11 · answer #1 · answered by holabird 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there I am a Veterinarian Technition and hope to help! As far as the dog park agression your dog is receiving from other dogs, you are going to get different responses from everyone. Some people will say the fact that your dog is not neutered poses a threat to the other males because they will see him as more of the alpha dog and try to challenge his role, others may say your dog is probably taking a submissive role so other dogs might see that as weakness and pick on him, and others may say those other dogs are just agressive by nature. I can honeslty tell you it could absolutely be any of the three above. I wasn't there to read or assess the other dogs behaviors and body language. I do have to inform you that your not neutering your dog can and will usually cause inter-male aggression. Males in packs like to duke it out for the top role, which is most likely what occured at the park. Regardless of the dog park incident it is important to neuter your Golden for the following reasons: (sorry- I have to give you all the health issues!
Prevents prostate and testicular cancer (dogs).
Reduces inter-male aggression (dogs).
Reduces dominance aggression towards people (dogs).
Reduces urinary "marking" (of vertical objects such as furniture.)
Reduces "mounting" behavior, and sexual frustration.
Reduces roaming.
Prevents unwanted litters. (It is truly amazing what some dogs will do in order to mate with a female dog who comes into "season". Some dogs will dig under fences to get to another dog, while some have even managed to mate through chain link fences!)
Prevents your males from running away to mate with a female in season. They will jump fences and ignore calls to follow a female in heat.
Plus, on average, dogs who are spayed/neutered live longer and have less behavioral issues!!!
As far as finding a more affordable place to neuter your dog, try Humane Societies, they tend to neuter at lower costs.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-27 15:37:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you don't intend to breed him, you should have him neutered. It will reduce the risk of him running away to chase females in heat and reduces the risk of testicular cancer. I doubt however that the incident in the park was related if he did not intiate the aggression. Neutering reduces aggression in males but if he was afraid and submissive to the other dogs, that was probably not a factor. Still you should get it done anyway for his well-being.
I live in SB County - SB Humane does low cost spay and neuter and so does Santa Ynez Humane. I'm not sure about Ventura County. Call Ventura County Animal Control in Camarillo and ask if there are any humane societies in Ventura County that offer the service.
2007-03-27 15:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are many reasons to neuter your dog. Unwanted litters, cancer, behavioral problems. It is true that your dog could be emitting pheromones that is attracting dogs to try to dominate over them, but it can also be a ton of other things. The dogs that are attacking him may just be mean dogs. Like people, some dogs just don't get along with other dogs. It could be that the other dogs were incorrectly socialized with other dogs and can't read doggies body language very well.
I would definitely get your dog neutered. I would talk to your local Humane Society or animal shelter, they have low cost spay and neuter clinics.
2007-03-27 15:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by Melinda E 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a great answer by Kate M. I'd agree with that - aggression problems need to be sorted out with training, castration will only do so much for behaviour. But get your dog neutered regardless of this, it'll save him from the prostate problems/cancer common in older dogs. He's just the age for it as well.
Chalice
2007-03-27 15:25:32 · answer #5 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
their dogs attacked your dog because he's not neutered???
that's crazy and stupid!
yes, as a responsable doggy owner your dog should be neutered..but (esp at 6 months) your dog is too young to be displaying unaltered dog aggressive behavior.
Their dogs were telling young pup that he is bottom of the pack..their dogs should have been scolded immediately and put in their places for this kind of improper behavior...more than likely (even though I wasn't there, I can guess) the other dog owners allow their dogs to be dominant in their households and brought the dogs to the park not calm and submissive and well excercised as they should have!
2007-03-27 15:30:03 · answer #6 · answered by spottedmyappy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Other dogs got aggressive with your dog because your dog is not altered? Someone's blowing smoke up your butt. However if you do not plan to breed your dog you should get him altered to prevent unwanted puppies. And there should be atleast once a yr an advertisement by your local shelter for lost cost alteration
2007-03-27 15:21:24 · answer #7 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aggression does not necessarily need surgery to be fixed. Training sessions might help you there. However, I'm quite the advocate of neutering. It will calm down a rowdy male, and will make life for the both of you less stress free. Most Humane Societies offer spaying and neutering services for a cheaper price than the vet will. I suggest calling your local one for their price. :]
2007-03-27 15:19:44 · answer #8 · answered by Kate M 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
o.k. I don't think you have the aggressive dog, I do believe however getting him fixed is a good idea! Maybe you can look around for neutering clinics. I know here in NH we have them occasionally at some vets!
2007-03-27 15:34:30 · answer #9 · answered by Lisa T (Stop BSL) 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you are not going to show your dog then YES. Get him fixed. It makes for a much nicer dog all the way around as well as if you are house training,it also makes that easier.It does calm them down some.
2007-03-27 17:52:01 · answer #10 · answered by Dixie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋