Inter male dog aggression
Males of all domesticated species including dogs and humans have a special propensity for fighting with each other. When tow females fight it's usually because of a conflickt in dominance. Although serious inter male aggression only occurs after puberty in dogs, it is not wholly dependent on the male hormone testosterone. Giving testosterone to adult spayed females is relatively ineffective in making them more aggressive.
It appears that inter male aggression has its origins in the neonatal development of the pup and is stimulated by the early masculination of the pup's brain just before birth. The testosterone surge at puberty is the precipatating cause of this form of aggression, but is only influential on the already masculinized brain. Receptors must be present of the hormone to induce aggression. Inter male aggression is responsible in 1 out of 10 cases treated by veterinarians and is a specific form of dominance aggression. It can be induced by the sight of another male dog or by the scent.
There is a good likelihood for improvement through castration. Approximately at 60 % change castration will significantly reduce inter male aggression.
When castration alone is not effective in reducing this aggression, the female hormone progesterone can be used. The less aggressive dog should be castrated first.
Always consult a veterinarian or behavior specialist if this type of aggression is observed.
It appears that inter male aggression has its origins in the neonatal development of the pup and is stimulated by the early masculination of the pup's brain just before birth. The testosterone surge at puberty is the precipatating cause of this form of aggression, but is only influential on the already masculinized brain. Receptors must be present of the hormone to induce aggression. Inter male aggression is responsible in 1 out of 10 cases treated by veterinarians and is a specific form of dominance aggression. It can be induced by the sight of another male dog or by the scent.
There is a good likelihood for improvement through castration. Approximately at 60 % change castration will significantly reduce inter male aggression.
When castration alone is not effective in reducing this aggression, the female hormone progesterone can be used. The less aggressive dog should be castrated first.
Always consult a veterinarian or behavior specialist if this type of aggression is observed.
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