I know a lot of behaviorists recommend Tardac before going down the 'neutering' route to see if it makes a difference before going the whole hog 3-4 weeks is long enough to know whether it neutering would actually make a difference to the dogs behaviour, a relative of mine actually went the whole hog (neutered both her dogs six months apart) and her dogs continued fighting..

I'm not convinced neutering is a fix for a dog with aggressive issues anyway, IMO.

I know a lot who used to

I'd use it again should I need to after experiencing positive results of it being administered

Hi

To me, unless there is much more to it, you've kind of answered your own question in that he started to do this after he was attacked, therefore it is fear based/defensive or whatever you want to call it, aggression. The only other thing is that if something has happened to coincide with this - ie a medical problem, for example.

I'd say he has been scared and is now starting to generalise to all dogs. Unfortunately this can happen, it's very common where aggression is concerned.
Especially as he will be on the look out for any sign that the dog he is meeting is about to jump on him first, and so he will be probably full of stressy chemicals in his system preparing him for fight or flight.

My view would be to find a very good, reputable behaviourist to help you with this. They should be able to do a full case history with you and put together the jigsaw that makes the picture of your boy, and if necessary work with your vet and give you ideas to help you help your boy in a practical manner also

I don't honestly think neutering will help. It sounds to me as if your boy is a little fearful or nervous in some cases generally, and so losing his bits may make him more nervy, in which case he may well still show the same behaviour.

JMO
Wys
x

When we got him, Anton was entire and had some slight fear aggression problems (e.g. he'd occaisionally have a bark at another dog, then settle down) but nothing we couldn't bring under control quickly and easily.

However, and this may sound bizarre, we didn't actually realise he was entire - the rescue centre told us he was neutered, so we thought he was. I have to say, I was a little confused, but having never owned a male dog before, none of us put two and two together until a friend pointed out that he clearly was not neutered. Of course, we contacted the rescue, and they apologised and arranged for the operation to be done.

After he had been neutered, we started noticing changes immediatly. He was a lot more barky with other dogs than he was before and his confidence with people plummeted - before, he would have a bit of a bark if people came in and then calm down and go over for a fuss. After he was neutered, visitors calling turned the house into a war zone!

We are addressing these problems and it would be ignorant to place all the blame on neutering for his issues - but I do suspect it set him back as far as his fear aggression problems go.

If you are considering it, I would do what other posters suggested and try a chemical castration - so if it does have an adverse effect, at least it isn't permanent.

I think it would be more worth getting advice from a behaviourist - I'm sure that with careful handling and plenty of positive experiences, your dog may get over his fear aggression.

It depends on why the dog is being aggressive. The decrease in Testosterone will make a fearful dog worse, so it is normal NOT to neuter a fearful male.
It sounds like your dogs needs his confidence building, rather than neutering.

My situation is slightly different. Ollie from the day we brought him home showed nervous tendencies towards some people regardless of gender.

He was well socialised as we hoped this would solve the problem it has in a lot of ways but we always have too be cautious and have had to learn too read his body language to divert situations. He would bark at people when out for a walk on the field, warning them away he was always on a harness and long line and we would divert his attention and move on praise and treat.

We took him to a behaviorist as he can be funny with some people coming into the house, we learnt some ways round this he is better but sometimes is better in the kitchen behind the gate so he is safe but can see us all.

As for being out he is a lot better as long as people do not attempt to stroke him he will sometimes come round too them in his own time other times he will sniff and move on and ignore them believe me from what he was like this is a major achievement with Ollie. One which today I was very proud of there were two ladies strolling round the field no dog just strolling and he looked up watched them put his head down too sniff again. He is 4 next week and still is and always will be a work in progress.

He does now have issues with some dogs usually male and full on high energy dogs. A couple of incidents dented his confidence so again always harness long line and divert away from trouble.

I do not muzzle him it would stress him too much. He is muzzled in the vets however as it is a quick in and out job usually.

The question of neutering, I really wish I hadn't had it done so early 6 months. I believe this has affected an already nervous dog into becoming an always nervous dog. My previous male was not done till 17 months and we had no problems but he was outgoing from a tiny pup, so who knows if he would of been any different.

You say your dog is 2 or just turned 2 for a large breed this is still young they are still finding their feet. Being attacked won't of helped.

I am not sure about the neutering route it will make him attractive to other males and they will want too hump him, if he has been attacked this will not help him at all. With Ollie this has now worn off and other males are not so interested in humping him. I am always close by and if another dog is interested in his nether regions I divert them or say to the owner he will not like this and turn on your dog that usually makes them call their dog off. Ollie however will try too sniff their dogs nether regions.

I am not sure if you should neuter or not it has too be your choice , Ollie would of been neutered at some point I just wish I had left it later rather than sooner. I like the others do not think this will be a quick fix to the problem and in some ways may solve some problems and create others.

Having a baby on the way I know you need to be able to have a dog that will be bomb proof and not need too much time training in this respect. If it is fear aggression you will possibly find like me it will always be an area that you will be working on and never be able too fully relax in some situations.

Not sure if my post has helped or confused you more. wishing you luck which ever route you take.

I think as others have mentioned a behaviourist might be a good idea, if that is possible for you. A dog that walks up to another dog and goes to it doesn't sound fearful to me, but I guess that is impossible to say without seeing it.

One observation I made when my (now neutered) male was entire was that he was persistently a target for other dogs. One particularl dog, which was also entire, always tried to go for him yet when he was neutered, this dog didn't give him a second glance. I think the fact they are entire perhaps makes them more of a target which doesn't help.

Lets be practical here---there is a baby on the way and thetre will be limited time to do anything with the dog. He has been socialised and it sounds as if all the right things have happened to him.

I would invest in a baskerville muzzle and take time to get him used to it---while you still have time. I would also castrate him, I can't see that it will make him a lot worse, it sounds as if he is pretty bad already.

rune

Thanks everyone for all the replies!! info overload but my am i thankful for it!!

We've decided to not neuter -just yet, but we are going to consult a behaviourist and see what they say - Kodas still living 5mins away with my mum anyway but once babies here we were going to be moving into a bigger house so he could come too but whilst hes seeing a behaviourist etc he can stay with mum so we do have some time on our hands thankfully!
but thank you for all the replies i didn't even know about the temporary neutering effects so we'll find a decent behaviourist and get to work!!