DA

Bacchus has been a bit unpredctable around strange dogs for a month or two now but was put to stud a couple of weeks ago and the problem seems to have become worse. I keep him on-lead near unfamiliar dogs but he seems to want to have a real go. It's like he now has raging hormones. He still plays well with the dogs he grew up with.

Is it just coincidence, post stud duties or can this make them more aggressive?
Could it just be his age ( 15 months ) teenage macho man?
Is he likely to grow out of this behaviour and if not would neutering, once he is fully developed help?

I would rather not have an aggressive dog, but if this is his personality, will just have to accept it and keep him on his lead more.
He is like Jekyll and Hyde and a total sweethart around people.

At 15 months IMO is too young for a dog to be put to stud. It could be a matter of things, he is still maturing and being put to stud could have made him highly strung - this may or may not be a permanent thing.

Keep trying to socialise him and do some counter conditioning work with him.

Rodger,
It appears that both you and I are going through the same problems at the moment. Tommy sounds identical to Bacchus. He's snapping and snarling and every male dog that approaches him. Tommy is 1 tomorrow so a little younger than Bacchus; I'm just wondering if it is his hormones too. He was such a pleasant dog up until a couple of months ago! He's still absolutely brilliant with people and bitches.
People have said he might be behaving differently because he's on the leash but I daren't let him off around strange dogs to find out. You have my full sympathy. Let's just hope our boys grow up a bit and soon...

Bloomooner wrote:Rodger,
It appears that both you and I are going through the same problems at the moment. Tommy sounds identical to Bacchus. He's snapping and snarling and every male dog that approaches him. Tommy is 1 tomorrow so a little younger than Bacchus; I'm just wondering if it is his hormones too. He was such a pleasant dog up until a couple of months ago! He's still absolutely brilliant with people and bitches.
People have said he might be behaving differently because he's on the leash but I daren't let him off around strange dogs to find out. You have my full sympathy. Let's just hope our boys grow up a bit and soon...

Like you I wonder about the lead thing but am afraid to take the chance in case he injures some poor dog. Wouldn't want that on my conscience.

rescuestaffords wrote:At 15 months IMO is too young for a dog to be put to stud. It could be a matter of things, he is still maturing and being put to stud could have made him highly strung - this may or may not be a permanent thing.

Keep trying to socialise him and do some counter conditioning work with him.

I broached the subject of going to stud at his age in a previous post and apparently it's not unusual ( Caryll ) to try them out from 12 months onward. He went to a bitch belonging to the lady who bred him , a very experienced breeder who has also become a friend and takes him for holidays etc.

Very similar problem my beau has been having lately..and posted it just for nobody to bother there a..e and reply to....anyway beau is 17 months now and he has been the same with males slightly more complicated in my case as I have beaus sister as well[phoebe 4 months] he will not let anything male or female near her without at least a stern warning I mean he actually stands over her, so I started taking beau out himself to see if any different females he will talk to but males forget it..spoke to the vet and he suggested you could always get him nueterd which I WONT be doing

the vet did recommend having his glands done though...which we will get done...

rescuestaffords wrote:At 15 months IMO is too young for a dog to be put to stud. It could be a matter of things, he is still maturing and being put to stud could have made him highly strung - this may or may not be a permanent thing.

Keep trying to socialise him and do some counter conditioning work with him.

15 months is quite normal for the start of stud duties & won't do any harm as long as he isn't over used (which I'm sure he won't be). It shouldn't make any difference whatsoever to his temperament, although if he were to be around a bitch in season he would know what it's all about, now, and could get a bit more shirty with any males close by.

Personally I think it's a coincidence, and that the stud duties have just come about at the same time as impending maturity/teenager years! He may or may not get over it, but I'd continue to socialise him but on your terms. Get him to sit & wait when there are other dogs around, maybe teach him to watch you before he fixes on the other dogs. Make sure that you are more interesting than they are (treats/toys etc), and try to find a bomb-proof dog that you can walk him with - both on lead & both dogs on the outside, ignoring each other.

Neutering at the moment will have no effect on whether or not he likes other dogs, and may 'fix' the dislike as he isn't fully adult yet.

Caryll wrote:

rescuestaffords wrote:At 15 months IMO is too young for a dog to be put to stud. It could be a matter of things, he is still maturing and being put to stud could have made him highly strung - this may or may not be a permanent thing.

Keep trying to socialise him and do some counter conditioning work with him.

15 months is quite normal for the start of stud duties & won't do any harm as long as he isn't over used (which I'm sure he won't be). It shouldn't make any difference whatsoever to his temperament, although if he were to be around a bitch in season he would know what it's all about, now, and could get a bit more shirty with any males close by.

Personally I think it's a coincidence, and that the stud duties have just come about at the same time as impending maturity/teenager years! He may or may not get over it, but I'd continue to socialise him but on your terms. Get him to sit & wait when there are other dogs around, maybe teach him to watch you before he fixes on the other dogs. Make sure that you are more interesting than they are (treats/toys etc), and try to find a bomb-proof dog that you can walk him with - both on lead & both dogs on the outside, ignoring each other.

Neutering at the moment will have no effect on whether or not he likes other dogs, and may 'fix' the dislike as he isn't fully adult yet.

Thanks again Caryll. He is still OK with the dogs he grew up with, especially Buster, a Boxer dog the same age as him. They romp together on our 6.45am walk every morning. Even strange bitches, it's as though he wants to let them know that he is top dog by standing over them snarlng. If they accept this he's OK but I feel even this is unacceptable and try to avoid it as it is alarming for the other dog's owner.
Will get some high value treats and try the "watch me" method. There is one particular dog which used to try to dominate him when he was a pup and he now snarls at on sight. I make him sit and give him a treat while praising him quietly and this seems to calm the situation down but we both know to keep our respective dog on-lead.
Wasn't considering neutering just yet, just exploring my options.

solhiem wrote:Very similar problem my beau has been having lately..and posted it just for nobody to bother there a..e and reply to....anyway beau is 17 months now and he has been the same with males slightly more complicated in my case as I have beaus sister as well[phoebe 4 months] he will not let anything male or female near her without at least a stern warning I mean he actually stands over her, so I started taking beau out himself to see if any different females he will talk to but males forget it..spoke to the vet and he suggested  you could always get him nueterd which I WONT be doing

Sorry nobody got back to ou on this subject. Very unusual on this forum, members are normally very helpful. Afraid I wouldn't have been able to give you any advice as I haven't had any experience of this until now.

solhiem wrote:Very similar problem my beau has been having lately..and posted it just for nobody to bother there a..e and reply to....

Wow, really sorry about that, that's so unusual! Are you still needing help?