aggression issues

[Kathi Barrett]

My 2 year old intact brindle (Baxter) is starting to have "agression issues" at the dog park with other males. Up until now, he has been a "beta" dog, playful and submissive with all dogs. Now he's challenging dogs unfamiliar to him. He has been well socialized from 9 weeks old with all kinds of dogs in the park. I also have a neutered white rescue,around 2 (Tyson) whom he plays with all the time in and out of the park.

My question is: is it time to neuter him or is the "damage" already done since he is now full grown and starting to be aggressive? Will neutering him really change him that much?
He has a slight heart mumur (I never had plans to breed him) will that be a problem during the surgery?

I would love to hear comments or suggestions before I approach my vet whom I KNOW will push for castration as she has for 2years.

Thanks!

 

[myrocky]

I also suggest neutering him. If you were not planning on breedign him then why keep him intact? Neutering him drastically reduces the chances of cancer and is all around better for his health. Talk to your vet about the murmur to see if it would affect him being sedated. Also make sure your vet does not use ACE on him as well, can be very dangerous on boxers. If you do a search you will find loads of info reguarding ACE to print out and give to your vet.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

If the dog is not to be bred and you are not a breeder, then you can have the dog neutered at 6 months of age. There is no earthly reason to wait longer than that, except for possible medical reasons which may be particular to your dog. Please consult your vet.

When dogs reach maturity, they start to find their place in the pack. This includes an "extended" pack such as a playground or park and includes the dogs your dog regularly plays with. As the other dogs sense and smell that your dog is coming into adulthood, the natural instinct of the dogs is to put the dog in its proper place within the pack. Your dog is now finding his adulthood (and will do so even if he is neutered) and is trying to "force" his position in the pack.

I refer you to this thread for my further response:

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=189921#post189921

Good luck.

 

[Kathi Barrett]

Dan;

I have had numerous people to include my vet say to neuter him early (which was when he was a puppy)

I took the stance that it was unnecessary surgery unless there was a problem ie; aggression, age related health problems, marking territory, destructive and such. Baxter is a very socialized ,well mannered puppy through just a couple of months ago. He has been professionally trained in groups and individual settings, city streets, etc. I live in a town house with no yard so we spend alot of time walking,and playing at dogparks. He has always taken the Beta roll with other males both in my home and at play.

I am not a breeder, I did not plan to bred him regardless of his murmur but I also felt the surgery was unnecessary, until now. Baxter is never loose to roam or impregnant unsuspecting bitches in heat. So all the usual reasons to neuter as far as I was concerned, were not present. My trainer is also in favor of leaving him intact unless there is a reson to neuter.

I thank you for your imput and experience. I will be having him neutered now but as I said, only because he NOW shows aggression and I want to continue playing at our parks.

 

[myrocky]

Kathi why wait until a dog shows aggression before neutering, that seems a little late to me. Have you looked at all the health benefits of getting your dog neutered? Almost getting rid of the chance my dog could get prostate cancer just by neutering him is enough for me. If it happens my dog escapes and finds a bitch in heat the fact that I won't have to worry about an "oops" litter is also another great reason.

You also said you have a rescue male. Is this male from a rescue org or from a shelter? I am very surprised you were allowed to adopt since you already have an intact male present. The majority of shelters and rescues will not adopt out unless the other animals are altered.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

It is certainly your decision whether or not to neuter your dog. However, it would appear to me that neither you nor your "trainer" have even considered the health benefits to early neutering or, the potential health risks you take by not neutering your dog.

I note in your reply to me you mention a "murmur." I presume now (since you didn't mention that before in your previous post) that this may be a reason why you would opt to not put your dog through surgery. This is certainly understandable, but should be a decision made between you and your vet based on the level of the heart murmur, etc. and other health factors of the dog. The dog's ability to come thru the anesthesia, etc.

I suppose it is a moot point now that your have decided to neuter your dog. However, you might want to do some further research (using the search button here and the rest of the internet) on neutering and the health benefits of neutering and the health risks inherent in unneutered dogs.

Best of luck.

 

[Aimee]

I'm another fan of neutering. Mostly because of the health issues involved with intact males. I adopted Garrett intact from the shelter. He was unable to be neutered due to health reasons and died an intact dog that suffered greatly from a prostate tumor. What grade is his heart murmur? A slight murmur would require monitoring but would not rule out anesthia. That small risk far outweighs the future risks involved with keeping your male intact. Below is Buddy's story. Buddy is a very dearly remembered boxer here at boxerworld that died at the tender age of 7 due to prostate cancer.

Here is his story that started on Feb. 1st of last year, and it takes you to his death.

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4310

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4339

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4409

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4472

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4605

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4906&highlight=Buddy

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4921&highlight=Buddy

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=4954

 

[Kathi Barrett]

I thank all of you for your educated imput. As I have stated, I will neuter Baxter now. I have spoken at length with my vet and after she consults with a cardiologist they will decide on the best sedation for safety during the procedure.

I am curious though; If it is such a health risk and all the other factors you have stated, how is it ok for breeding studs to be intact all through their life?

Aimee;I have also read about, spoken to and kept in contact with Buddy's mom through Boxerworld Forum when Buddy was dying last year. It was heartbreaking to hear from mom each step of the way before Buddy went to "The Bridge".

Dan; if you check my first post requesting information, I did state that Baxter does have a murmur. It has never been graded by a cardiologist and he has been asymtomatic his entire life.

Andie; I do indeed have 2 rescue's. 1 female and 1 male, both neutered, living with me as well. Yes, I adopted/fostered both from the Boxer Rescue here in Northern Va. headed by Dianne Spessard who has been doing rescue for 30 years. She interviewed me, visited my home several times and we introduced the dogs on neutral ground so she could see Baxter's disposition. All 3 get along like they had been born together.

I hope to continue to keep in contact with all of you. I will let you know how the surgery goes...

thanks again, Kathi

 

[Aimee]

Originally posted by Kathi Barrett
Yes, I adopted/fostered both from the Boxer Rescue here in Northern Va. headed by Dianne Spessard who has been doing rescue for 30 years. She interviewed me, visited my home several times and we introduced the dogs on neutral ground so she could see Baxter's disposition. All 3 get along like they had been born together.

I adopted Baxter from Dianne! He is currently featured on her website which is in my signature I help Dianne by doing homevisits for her!

 

[Kathi Barrett]

another white rescue ;-)

Aimee:

Dianne is something else, isn't she! I have been associated with her for a year and got both my rescue's from her. What a God send to this Boxerworld..! She is so dedicated and knowledgeable.

Today, I picked up a white boxer at PWC shelter who had been there 17 days.The shelter doesn't "play well with others" and has no contacts with Rescues or bothers to call before they destroy a dog. 55.00 and he was out the door in 5 mins..No background check, intact, no shots, nothing! He was supposedly a stray (with a microchip) they contacted the person in Mass. and they denied having a dog.

He looks to be about 8-10 months,natural ears, intact (yes, I will have him neutered immediately and yes, the shelter "adopted" him out intact...) in good health, weight a little low but not bad. I found him in a kennel with 4 other male dogs.

I hope we can all get together on a date for our "Boxer Bash" soon. I now have 3 guys to show off and share! I will have pics of my new guy very soon.I have named him "Sabastian" Just kind of came to me :D