Neutered "boyfriend" to help with in-season female's dog reactivity?

[Stevenzachsmom]

Well, It seems every response here said, "Bad idea." These very experienced GSD owners have said "Bad idea." But, it looks like you are going to do this anyway. My question is WHY? What is the big deal? Your dog doesn't like other dogs. She doesn't need to like other dogs. She doesn't have to play with other dogs. My GSD is 14 years old. Has lived her entire life without liking other dogs. She has had a good long life and doesn't seem to have missed that interaction. She has us. That is all she needs. I have "managed" her. She always had an excellent recall and "leave it." Muzzles are good. Chances are your dog is not going to change, except maybe after your experiment, she will be worse.

[Twyla]

I have a fear reactive/DA dog as well. Very low threshold. We also have another dog as well; closer in age then yours so they are able to play. Our goal used to be to get him to the point where he would play with other dogs.... he's best buds with the other dog so why couldn't he be with other dogs. He just isn't that type of dog and I don't see that changing. He's happy with his best bud and a fantastic dog with us. The more realistic goal we are working toward is raising his threshold and tolerance through training, building his confidence and handler ability (yeah I needed training as well ) We've seen huge amounts of progress once we faced the reality of it.

[Susnelda]

Hi again--I will probably not try to introduce Suzie to Boris if the risk is just too high. Suzie is very playful and energetic, and had a nice play session with the older male GSD, Dan, from a few months ago. The male's owner, also an experienced breeder, thought that Suzie just doesn't know how to interact with dogs. We got Suzie when she was 8 months old; we were told that the previous owners used a shock collar on her for barking at other dogs. That very well might be a factor in her aggression. She got along well with Greta (our older girl) when we introduced the two; but had a couple of fights with her in the first few months.
I was hoping that Suzie would be able to play with Boris like she did with Dan. Dan is a very stable, relaxed GSD, very trusted by his owner, so I had no fear that he would attack her. Unfortunately, he's not nearby. If there were other calm dogs like him here to introduce to Suzie, I think it would really help her. But if she's the type of dog who just doesn't like strange dogs, I wouldn't expect her to be friendly towards them, just tolerant. It would be nice for her to have a good buddy next door, but probably that's being a little unrealistic on my part.
I like Brenda Aloff's methods of gradual desensitization; Victoria Stilwell seems to be using similar methods. It's just rather difficult to use them on walks, when a strange dog can suddenly dash out in front of you and provoke an attack. Agree with you, Twyla, more training and confidence for me would improve our situation a lot. : )

[Jax08]

It sounds like you are on the right track. It's really hard to give advice regarding an aggression issue online. We aren't seeing exactly what the trigger is. Sounds like you have an experienced person to help you, and it sounds like you have a really good handle on how she is reacting.

the only thing I can say is that you need to forget the idea of having 'a good buddy next door'. I held that belief that Jax needed to play with another dog. Until she had a very good chance to play with a younger dog, still a puppy, and had NO DESIRE too. At all. She ignored him. It then dawned on me that Jax didn't want to play with other dogs. I wanted her too. Kind of like the parent on the playground that makes their kid play with someone they don't like because 'it's good for them'. It's a human thing...not a dog thing. So go with what she wants.

[Susnelda]

Thanks, Jax. Your analogy of the parent who wants her child to have friends is spot on.
I've made up my mind not to introduce Suzie to Boris now, but to just work on her dog reactivity issues when she's out of season. I'll try introducing her to friendly dogs after her spay, but as long as she learns not to attack other dogs, I'll be happy.

[msvette2u]

I consulted an experienced GSD breeder/ trainer about the question I posed to you. She said that Suzie was at her most receptive stage now, and that it would be worth a try. She also thought Boris would become enamoured of her (thus taking care of the fighting instinct), and that she might welcome his advances.

This is seriously one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard.
"worth a try"??
I mean...dog aggression/reactivity and being in heat/breeding are two completely different things.
Even a female who is aggressive could be bred and go back to being aggressive as soon as the process is over. Some bitches have to be restrained even during that part due to their reactivity.

Anyway. Glad you're taking the people on the board's advice to heart and nixing the whole idea, and hope you can get her spayed soon.

[Liesje]

FWIW just because a male is neutered doesn't mean he won't mount and tie your dog! Tying can be dangerous if either of the dogs freak out. I've seen dogs who are normally very social with other dogs become vicious while in heat. The female is receptive to the male while she's in standing heat, but for the rest of the time she might have other behavior and mood changes.

I'm with msvette, this thread is pretty bizarre.

[martemchik]

I can tell you that females in heat are not receptive to all advances. They have their likes and dislikes too. My boy has been around 2 females that were either in heat, or just coming out of heat. The one that was in heat...didn't seem like the owner knew it (it was at the dog park) and the one that just got out of heat, I'm not quite sure why the guy brought her to the park so soon after. My boy was going nuts (he's not neutered) and neither of them wanted anything to do with him. I can't ever see the way a male acts around a female in heat as ever being helpful. They get quite aggressive and aren't really for "play" at that point. They have one thing on their minds and don't stop until they get it.

No worries about the two incidents at the park though, I got him leashed until they left.

[msvette2u]

Not to mention the boys get their *ahem* knickers all twisted and then things don't end well for him either.
I'd be po'ed as heck if someone brought their female in heat around one of my males, even if didn't or wasn't marking before, he could very well start then, neutered or not.
We just do not want to go there. Or rather, been there, done that and do not wish to go there again, or I'd own my own intact bitch to drive them all half-insane.