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Why is my male dog aggressive towards other dogs? Does neutering help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shiba Inu | Male | unneutered | 5 years and 9 months old

I have a male Shiba Inu of 6 years old. He's very calm and friendly at home (my family and three cats), with strangers, and other dogs that he likes - both male and female. But when he sees a dog he hates, he'll bark and tries to go at it aggressively with intention to fight. Is it because he's not neutered? I'm pretty frustrated every time I have to hold him back from trying to attacking a dog who just wants to make friends.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on January 7th, 2020

Canine aggression is a complex behavior as it can stem from dominance, possessiveness, fear, anxiety, resource guarding or a combination. Most people are not familiar with reading canine body language and training. Because of this, I recommend to work with a professional trainer. Researching on your own will also be helpful. Familiarizing yourself with canine body language and dog training can help you to recognize what your pet is trying to say. You can find many books written on the topic and there is a trainer named Victoria Stilwell who I think is particularly helpful. Certainly male dogs who are not neutered are more prone to fighting and aggression. Neutering him may help but it will not likely solve all the problems. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 1st, 2017
Because they are both unneutered, likely the aggression was due to hormones. Intact dogs can be aggressive towards each other over things like territory and females, and the best thing you can do is neuter Blue if you don't plan on mating him. That will not only have not only positive behavioral affects, but it will also have many health benefits for him. If you do plan on mating him, then I would not allow him to play with intact male dogs.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 31st, 2018
This is not common at all. It is quite a myth that neutering changes a pets personality. It can calm them, decrease aggression, and decrease marking, but that is really all it should affect. Good question, and definitely neuter your pet :)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on April 27th, 2020
Yes, neutering dogs tend to reduce aggression but since he is already exhibiting the behavior, training and behavioral modification are needed as well.

https://www.petcoach.co/article/benefits-of-neutering-castrating-male-dogs-puppies/

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-and-training-neutering-and-behavior

Here are some training links:
https://positively.com/dog-behavior/aggression/dog-dog-aggression/

https://positively.com/dog-behavior/aggression/

I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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