Will spaying help?

Question

I've two neutered male spitz aged 10 and 11 and four days ago adopted a 6-year-old, non-neutered female. She was top dog in her previous household and there's currently a lot of vying for top place going on between her and my 11-year old. My 10-year-old is avoiding her. I obviously want them all to get on. They're great on walks together, but she seems to be quite territorial around the house. Her previous owner said she'd take her back if things don't work out, but how long is a reasonable trial period? Will having her spayed help?

Answer 1

It can take several months to have a "harmonious" house hold when introducing a new dog. Introductions should be slow...they should not just be thrown together and expected to be best buddies.

Spaying will help. Low cost spay and neuter programs are listed on the site below.

Answer 2

I've found that females are often dominant over males. And in this case, you've got 2 neutered males who've lived together for probably a lot of years and you're bringing in a dominant female. Spaying isn't going to change her basic temperament.

These dogs need time to work things out between them and most dogs will work it out themselves. If they're not fighting, the less interference from you the better. If things start to get out of hand, you need to step in. Maybe spend some extra time with her doing some obedience to reinforce in her mind that she may be top dog, but you are the leader and she has limits.

Answer 3

I would think they need at least a month to settle, you'll probably find that the b1tch will be top dog, they usually are in a mixed household. IOnce that's established, you won't have any more problems.If you want to get her spayed wait until she has settled into your household, but she will probably be more bossy once she's done! It's not a bad thing having a dominant dog around - as long as she's only dominant over the dogs! Those households with a strongminded b1tch are usually the most peaceful as everyone knows their place!

Answer 4

Spaying may make things worse - spaying dominant females increases their dominance in some cases.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=spaying+increases+dominance+%2B+dogs&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
Thats going to get a thumbs down but its a fact.

Decide which of the two dogs you want as top dog and enforce that from now on. Top dog gets fed first, gets their lead put on first, gets more attention.
Both your males are neutered and should accept the situation as females are often most dominant in a mixed group.

Answer 5

Spaying may help eventually, but i wouldn't do it so soon after removing her from her old home. I would at least give it a couple of weeks to see if they become accustom to each other, usually males and females introduced at a late age have little problem with each other, but just like any other being with personalities, there can be conflicts.

Answer 6

If your 2 male dogs are not to stressed out then i suggest leaving them to it,supervise them at all times to make sure things dont become aggresive,but they will sort there own heirachy out.It can take weeks,even months for a rescue dog to settle in and you have to be very patient with her,perhaps you can make a safe area where your dogs can retreat to on there own,this gives them time out so there not constantly together.Spaying wont nessecarily help the situation,as shes an older bi tch she will be very set in her ways from her previous owners.I had my bi tch spayed a month ago and shes very highly strung and dominant to [thankfully our male accepts her as boss]but nothings altered in her personality.Good luck.

Answer 7

This could last a month or so. spaying her may help. but it works just like a wolf pack. She trying to be top dog again. once she achieves it or is defeated it should stop.

Answer 8

yes spaying will help, plus you don,t want to have all the dogs in your neighbourhood sitting around your fence waiting for a chance she may get out when she is in season, it will only upset your two male dogs.

Answer 9

Absolutely get her spayed... you house won't stink, and you won't have male dogs coming in thru your windows. Easier to train, too, because they have thier mind on listening, instead of their hormones...

And watch the Dog Whisperer to get that alpha idea out of her head..... YOU need to be the alpha, not her. A few sessions of that, and you'll get it... it's just the same idea over and over and over, and you can cure that very quickly.....works for every dog, and I have three dobies.

Answer 10

don't spay your animals! what if it were you????????