Aggression towards a newly neutered dog?

Question

So, many of you know of my two Danes, Newman, 2, and Boobs, 1. The two have coexisted peacefully in the house for about a year now. They'd have their spats, but nothing bad considering both were intact. Well, this morning Boobs came home from his neutering.

When Newman saw Boobs, his hackles went up, his teeth were barred, and he lunged at Boobs' neck. We separated the two. Several hours later, we let Boobs out to drink some water and eat a little, and Newman, separated by a barrier, went nuts again. This was more than just their usual fights. I truly think Newman wants to kill Boobs and would do so if they weren't separated.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe Boobs smells different to Newman, enough so that Newman thinks he's a new adult male in his house. As I think about that more, though, it sounds less probable. I just don't know what's going on or how I should fix it. Thoughts?

Newman and Boobs have never had serious fights before. Newman is still getting along well with Otis, a 4 month old male Dane puppy. The two adults are separated.

greygarious · Accepted Answer

Boobs came home with hospital smells: meds, disinfectants, and perhaps most importantly, blood.
That probably triggered Newman's aggressive instincts. All dogs have these.  In a pack of friendly dogs, a scream from one of them can cause the others to attack the screamer.  The yelp of an injured animal triggers ancient instincts that interpret the cry as the sound of an injured animal that will be easy prey. If vanilla on Newman's nose doesn't do the trick, put a generous amount of perfume or cologne on the back of both dogs' heads, so the dog can't reach it to lick at it.  Keep them leashed for careful re-introductions.  Put a bandage on one of Newman's legs.  He will be busy trying to get it off, and less interested in Boobs.  Or put an Elizabethan collar/cone on Newman. That will cramp his style, and make it harder for him to make contact with Boobs.

***** · Answer

Most likely has to do with the smell from the vet's office.  Wipe Boobs down with a pet wipe since you won't be able to bathe him for a week or two, and perhaps apply a bit of vanilla to Newman's nose to help mask smells.  Keep them separated to let them "cool down" for a day or so and so that Boobs has time to re-aquire a more normal scent, and then take them both for a walk (one person holding each in case there's a problem) together, and "re-introduce" somewhere neutral like a park.

BunnuvaSitch · Answer

My hackles go up every time I see boobs too.  (Sorry, couldn't resist... LOVE the dog's name!)

It's entirely possible that Boobs just smells different to Newman.  You're doing the right thing by keeping them separated.  You may have to KEEP them separated for a couple of weeks, until the issues settle down.

Nikko,Loves GSD,Pekes · Answer

I think your right about him smelling different..I know when my dogs go in and a=come home the others all run to them and start smelling and won;t stop smelling..Ears are back and trying to figure out what the scent is,so I would keep them seperated as the stitches need to heal or your going to have an ER visit..Maybe take a downey fabric sheet and rub all the dogs down with them so they all smell the same..even some baking soda can eliminate the scent as long as it;s dry..

? · Answer

I award Bunnava Sitch Quip of the week!!!  Very funny!!!!

It could just be the "hospital smell" that Newman is reacting to.

Give it time see what happens.

Anonymous · Answer

Strange dog names. But to answer your question, maybe Newman noticed that boobs didn't have his pride parts and with pack dogs there is always a leader and now that boobs has nothing to show off, Newman see's that he can be the pack dog, so he is fighting it off to win because I think boobs was the pack leader before and Newman wants to take that spot now.

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Aggression towards a newly neutered dog?

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