Why is my lab mix suddenly aggressive with my pit mix after neutering?

Hi there. Actually, yes! To reasons not always know to us-changes in the hormonal makeup of our animals (i.e. a recent neuter) can make them smell different. Many theories have been postulated as to why previously accepting partners will turn away the new "smell" and show aggression. Many think it is frustration in the change. Some think it is because they now want to show dominance. Often, we do not ever really know for sure. Normally with time the pair will acclimate again, but I usually recommend supervised playtime until then. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That should definitely help. Often times a few to several weeks after a castration their behavior changes dramatically in terms of less aggression. However, this may not resolve the issue. If it does not, I would highly recommend you seek help from a veterinary behaviorist or dog trainer who can help you in person as those issues do require some hands on training but they are fixable most of the time. Good luck and have a great day!

Testosterone is mood balancing and very occasionally in timid dogs castration can heighten anxiety and aggression. I would recommend working with a certified behaviorist to try and work through this and possibly medications may be required if not settling

I'm sorry that you're having this problem with Cssh! Aggression issues between dogs can be very complex, so without being able to actually meet him in person and observe his interactions with the other dogs, it's very difficult to say what might be causing this. Some dogs simply don't get along well with "new" dogs once they have grown out of their puppy stage - this could well be the case with your dog, since he's about 6-7 months old now. This isn't necessarily abnormal, but it may mean that your dog is not a good candidate for casual socializing with strange dogs. If you want to try and get a better idea of what may be causing Cssh's aggressive behavior and see if anything can be done to improve it, I would recommend making an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist - he/she can evaluate your dog in person and help you understand exactly what is happening. If needed, they can also help you put together a detailed plan to work on the problem. Your veterinarian should be able to find out where your nearest veterinary behaviorist is located, and set up a referral for you if you wish. In the meantime, I would recommend not allowing Cssh to interact with any dogs that he doesn't already know and like since there is a significant risk that he will continue to behave aggressively, which could cause injury to him or other dog.

Neutering can sometimes help with interdog aggression, so if you plan on keeping them both, having them neutered may help. If they are constantly fighting with each other, it may also be time to bring in a professional who can view the situation in person and help formulate a training plan to get the dogs OK around each other. You may need to keep them completely separated and slowly introduce them in a neutral location such as on a walk, and then only have short monitored sessions until they can be trusted around each other. However, if one dog is lunging and growling before even being introduced, seeking professional help is best.

Hormonal changes that occur after being spayed or neutered can sometimes cause tensions. Keeping the dogs separated unless supervised may help reduce fights. If you notice one or both dogs becoming too excited or agitated, separating them and giving them a chance to cool off can help. Removing items of contention such as treats or toys can also help reduce fighting. If the fighting continues, or they are unable to be together at all, seeking out a local veterinary behaviorist or trainer in person that can observe their behavior may be useful for formulating a training plan to help both dogs get along again.

It can take several weeks for testosterone levels to decrease after neutering. Until then, consider using a pheromone product, such as Feliway spray or plug in diffuser, to decrease any anxiety or aggression in the home. Provide extra litter boxes, bowls, toys and bedding to prevent food aggression or resource protection.