The two smaller dogs are both neutered already. We had planned on neutering, but I
really cant take a chance on another attack.
Contrary to what is being said by vets, castration most certainly can result in a dog
becoming fat ... if they are springers and on the free food system. our older
springer was always skinny and we had him neutered when he started to have prostate
problems. within a couple months he went from 45 to 75 lbs. I had to stop the free
feeding and cut way back on his food to bring him back down to a healthy weight.
It is extremely easy to get a dogs weight down when humans control what is in their
food dish of course. Ingrid

Janet Baraclough wrote:
We had that problem, when a normally goodnatured male youngster pup
reached puberty and adult-size/strength, and twice attacked our smaller,
weaker older male with serious intent. There's another solution.

Dogs are pack animals, so have a social pecking order. When a male pup
moves into a household he accepts his role as lowest-status dog, and
accepts an older male as his superior. At one year old Harry is maturing
sexually and male hormones cause him to challenge the status quo, and
try to establish himself as top male. Have the young dog castrated, and
the dominance-assertion behaviour will fade away as his testosterone
level drops. The older, entire dog will retain his top-dog status
unchallenged, even though he's smaller, and peace will result.

That was the advice our vet gave us in the same situation, and it
worked. The aggressive dominance by the young dog stopped. He did not
become fat, lethargic or dull..those are old wives tales.. and remained
boundingly healthy, athletic, energetic, and a wonderful companion until
he died of old age at 16. Janet.


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