Ok, to break it down a bit, my older dog, Sam, well he's become very grumpy as he's gotten older. Him and my younger dog, Bentley, can't even be in the same room together without growling at one another. Sam usually starts it, but Bentley instigates it a bit. Anyway, it's worse if my mom and I are in the room. Sam is definitely a "ladies dog." And Bentley, well it doesn't seem to matter HOW much we walk him, he still pees randomly around the house. It's like he saves pee for when he comes inside. He's been known to pee almost as soon as he comes in. We've thought about getting them fixed, but my mom's husband thinks they're too old to be fixed. We guess that Sam i probably at the very least, 9 years old, and Bentley is about 4.
Anyway, answers to any of my questions would be greatly appreciated. :) Thanks!
2007-08-04 18:33:53 · 8 answers · asked by Holy Thursday Batman! 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Bentley isn't "Peeing" per say, he's marking his territory. He knows that Sam is older and he's making his stance for becoming the #1 dog when Sam goes.
Fixing them both will help a lot as it will break their "dominance" habits.
2007-08-04 18:43:45 · answer #1 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The others have nailed this one really well. The growling and posturing is about a dominence struggle. Both dogs know that one is getting old and the other isn't and the older one is fighting to maintian his dominence which of course is his cause he was there first.
The reason why it gets worse when you or your mom are around is because you are the females. And technically, in the dog world, you both belong to Sam as his and bentley is trying all the harder around both of you cause then you'll be his and not sam's. I think setting up rules and letting them know that you and not either of them are the alpha might help.
Otherwise it's never too old to get any dog fixed. As long as they're healthy dogs they should pull through the surgery fine. And nuetering is a relatively simple procedure. For humans it's an outpatient situation where the guy leaves minutes after it's done and it's not all that different for male animals either. So with all the pluses listed for a nuetered pet it shouldn't be a hard choice. It'll make them both happier and more peacefull.
2007-08-05 01:57:35 · answer #2 · answered by theresa b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get Bentley fixed he is still young enough. He is also the younger dog and should not be dominant as Sam is older and thus has more rank in the pack. He isn't peeing in your house either.
Benley's peeing is a teritorial dominance issue as he is in his prime. He is trying to assert himself over Sam. The peeing is sent marking. Basically he is saying he owns the house, you and the family. This is not good for any of you. Getting Bentley fixed should help. Obedience training for both will also help.
2007-08-05 01:47:47 · answer #3 · answered by min_Kitty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That isn't to old at all. We recently had a 10 year old female pug (who had 8 litters in her old home, we got her from a rescue) fixed, and she did fine, and pugs aren't exactly the best breed to pull through a surgery (short nose, breathing problems). What your dog is doing is marking, which is common when it comes to unaltered males. Even after you have him nuetered (it's the best thing, makes their lives longer, and they have less stress from going after females, and fighting with males) Having them fixed is the best thing, it will help both of them, though you will still have to work a bit to break him from marking in the house, it is a habit now.
2007-08-05 01:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by darkeyesdrinking 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is never a age too old to be neutered or spayed,spaying and neutering them would help.I also have two male dogs one is sam the older one and the other is bear,we are getting sam neutered cause it will help them to get along better sam will not stop being possesive of me and his home.bear can not step anywhere near me or the yard if sam is around so we are getting sam neutered and socalized better with dogs,so get your sam neutered plus bently. now I can not help you with the dog pee in the house cause my dogs are mostly outside
2007-08-05 01:49:19 · answer #5 · answered by 5v62020 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as the dogs are in good health otherwise,it's never too late.You still might have some problems,though,because the dogs are set in their ways.After neutering,a trip to obedience class would be a good idea.
2007-08-05 01:46:45 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your dogs are not too old to have them fixed. in fact, if you did have them fix now, they would probably tolerate each other, and Bentley would soon stop marking inside your house. get them fixed and good luck to you.
2007-08-05 01:46:22 · answer #7 · answered by Sara W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its actually not old at all. The way to stop your dogs from fighting is get a spray and fill it with water, if they growl or fight spray them. and as for peeing. spray them with water also, or scold them where they listen or leave them outside till they learn.
2007-08-05 02:08:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋