Help and advice please dog behaviour

[007agent]

I have a 3 year old unneutured male dog who has always been very social and playful among other dogs, however around 4 weeks ago while he was on his lead another dog ran up and started to fight with him. My husband managed to seperate them both but now his behaviour around other dogs has changed. I have always let him off his lead as he loves to run and play but within the last 3 weeks he has had 3 scraps. I am now keeping him on his lead but when I approach certain dogs his hackles rise and he is growling at them. This is directed at male only dogs, altough not all of them but I just feel i can no longer trust him off lead not to start a fight. I have owned him since he was 8 weeks old and until now he has not shown any agressive behaviour at all. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. We have discussed having him neuteured - maybe this would curb this.

[jules77]

Because he has been got at by another dog he is now trying to get in first. Before you have him neutered you can try him with the injection that gives the same effect, albeit only short term. My older male had it a few times when we had an in season bitch. However, neutering doesnt necessarily change a dogs behaviour if it is aggressive.

Personally I would take him to some dog training classes where he can meet other dogs of both sexes in a controlled environment, and maybe seek the advice of a behavourist. Obviously you will need to keep him on the lead until you can be sure of his behaviour.

[Schutzengel]

In your dog's mind, attack is the best form of defence, and as it was him who was on the receiving end of an attack in the first place, he isn't likely to want it to happen again. I would suggest having him neutered, as it frequently does have a calming effect as the testosterone level falls.

[befuzzled!!]

we had a black lab retriever and he had the same problem but it happened rarely because we trained him from a young age
the problem with neutering is that it does change your dogs behaviour not always for the best
so i'd definitely recommend training over neutering

[007agent]

Many thanks for all your help and advice. I will definitely take him for some training as soon as possible and see if this helps before we go down the neutering route. He has always been such a good boy and an easy dog to handle and excellent with all dogs etc and now suddenly we are having these worries. Thanks again

[gelda]

I had this problem when I was a dog walker, I used to walk a black lab, 8 yr old, he was a big softie, anyway one day out on a walk a staffie attacked him quite badly and after that he wanted to fight every dog he met it completely changed his character, I suggested to his owners that they should think about getting him neutered and take him to training classes which they did and within a couple of months he was back to his old self again. So personally I would go for it, the operation is quite simple with male dogs and after all if you're not going to breed from him he doesn't really need his b@lls!!

[puzzfuzz]

I have had the same with my dog who is a springer. I would recommend getting him neutered as it 'could' make a difference. Although it only works if the dog is younger than two apparently and is no guarantee for controlling behaviour.

Classes are a good thing and also your dog is also feeling the need to protect you so you have to be consistant with all your training for example feed the dog after you etc etc walk through doors first and make it wait etc etc. Also one good thing is get a squeeky toy and squeek it just before your dog sees another one. It may help to distract it when other dogs approach x x

[007agent]

I am so grateful for the time and trouble you lovely people have taken for giving such good advice. I have taken all your tips on board. He is now booked in for training classes due to start in two weeks time. Until then I will keep him on a lead. I will let you know how we get on.