April 26, 2011
I have three German Shepherds, Mom, Dad and son. The son has started to test the dad. I do not want to have the son neutered. Any suggestions?
Full Question:
Dear Cindy,I am just about at my wits end. I have three German Shepherds, Mom, Dad and son. Dad is 7 years old and my gentle giant. He weight 125 lbs. and is very laid back. However he is alpha. Son is 18 months old, 100 lbs. and thinks he is the new stud on the block. They all got along really well until Max (son) was a year old then he started to test Boaz (dad). I have to keep them separated as there have already been four serious fights. I have tried just about everything I can think of and do not want to have Max neutered and cannot have Boaz neutered, for health reasons.
They are all AKC with good hips and I have raised shepherds for years and this is a first for me.
Any suggestions???
Thank you for listening.
Susan
Cindy's Answer:
Neutering wouldn’t fix this problem, no matter what a vet tells you. Dominance is not fixed by castration; it’s fixed by offering these dogs the leadership they need. This is completely normal dog pack behavior BUT when dogs act like this they lack leadership from their owners. In other words their owners don’t understand how important pack drive is in how they raise their dogs.
Owners of dogs like yours underestimate the genetic power of "PACK DRIVE." Pack structure is not something new and it is not optional, and if you don’t provide the structure and leadership a dog NEEDS then they will behave as canines have for thousands of years and will structure your family and household their own way; your dogs simply need guidance and rules.
If you want to fix a problem like this you can but it takes some work. You will need to work with all the dogs, I’d start with our Groundwork program and the video that picks up where the article leaves off - Pack Structure for the Family Pet DVD.
Here is a DVD that I would recommend titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs.
If you go to the link on this DVD you can read about what it covers. You will also see a detailed outline of what’s in the video.
If you do some reading on our website, you’ll see this same issue discussed hundreds of times. It’s totally predictable when dogs are allowed to work things out for themselves. The young dog starts maturing and tries to move up in the pack rank.
I think if you read some of the questions and answers here, you’ll recognize your situation in the emails from others.
Cindy
Owners of dogs like yours underestimate the genetic power of "PACK DRIVE." Pack structure is not something new and it is not optional, and if you don’t provide the structure and leadership a dog NEEDS then they will behave as canines have for thousands of years and will structure your family and household their own way; your dogs simply need guidance and rules.
If you want to fix a problem like this you can but it takes some work. You will need to work with all the dogs, I’d start with our Groundwork program and the video that picks up where the article leaves off - Pack Structure for the Family Pet DVD.
Here is a DVD that I would recommend titled Dealing with Dominant and Aggressive Dogs.
If you go to the link on this DVD you can read about what it covers. You will also see a detailed outline of what’s in the video.
If you do some reading on our website, you’ll see this same issue discussed hundreds of times. It’s totally predictable when dogs are allowed to work things out for themselves. The young dog starts maturing and tries to move up in the pack rank.
I think if you read some of the questions and answers here, you’ll recognize your situation in the emails from others.
Cindy
No ratings yet
Was this Q&A helpful? Let us know!
Can't find what you're looking for?
No ratings yet
Was this Q&A helpful? Let us know!
