Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/6/2009

Question
I have a 4 yr old male & a 1 1/2yr old male that seem to be having more frequent spats. I am considering neutering the young one because i am scared that they are going to hurt each other. The younger one seems to always start it.Is that going to help? Is there anything else to help with this dominance issue that he seems to have?

Answer
The 1 1/2 year old is challenging the 4 year old for the alpha position.

Neuter both males at the same time.

This helps reduce the testosterone so they calm down.

They will still want the alpha position-- and one has to be an alpha and the other the omega.

Buy a loud, obnoxious sounding whistle and blow it and verbally reprimand them when they get aggressive with each other. Separate them, and maybe crate them apart for 5-5 minutes for punishment-- if you don't use a crate for other reasons.

They will soon associate the whistle sound to their bad behavior.