Castrating the adult dog. Effect on aggression?

[PapaFrita]

Ok, one of our Dobes is facing being PTS after finding a hole in our fence (now fixed) and attacking another dog that was wandering unattended in the street (but that's a whole different rant).
Anyway, to cut a long story short, he´s still entire although he and his brothers should've had his nuts off when they were puppies. He's being 'evaluated' by a proper dog trainer to see how dangerous he might be to the general public (although he's never shown any people any aggression at all) but parents have finally decided that the other 2 will be castrated now whatever the outcome with Otto. Anyhoo, question is, does castration as adults (they're now 4 or 5, I think) have a positive effect on aggressive behaviour towards other dogs?
Thanks

 

[Murphy3]

It worked for us. A little dog strayed in here 3 years ago and took up residence (we spent a year saying he was one too many and we would have to find a home for him - he's still here).

He was fighting seriously with my young collie bitch although he didn't dare take on the senior dogs and I got bitten trying to haul him off her. Then he caused mayhem by going at the neighbours' dog (who was on our land - another story). We decided goolies off was worth a try. Its worked really well - he still has the occasional snarl with the collie but no longer goes chomp. In fact I can take him out off the lead and have never had any trouble with him strange dogs so yes, it worked for him.

He definitely had a bad start in life before he came here and his biting was more defensive than aggressive so not sure how this would apply to other dogs but its worth a try if PTS is being considered - at least give it a chance. He certainly had no ill effects from the op.

 

[HeatherAda]

Worked for us too on an 8 year old. Not happy putting him through the op but he recovered just fine and was much happier afterwards.

 

[CAYLA]

It certainly will not make matters worse, we have castrated hundreds of dogs and I cannot say it's ever made any worse, with the older dogs it does take the edge of and in general castration makes for a more bidable dog, however it's not an easy solution for lack of socialising (not that im saying yours is) dobermans are pretty will full and stubborn dogs, it's best to get them done asap but 4-5 is not exactly ancient....All mine get the chop anyhow.

 

[MagicMo]

I had my collie castrated when he was 12 (due to tumor), I only wish I'd had it done earlier, he was much less aggressive with other dogs and was generally a more contented and happy dog.

I would never leave another dog of mine entire without a very good reason.

 

[prose]

Friend had her 6-year-old Boxer done last year as he was having prostate issues. He wasn't aggressive, exactly, but he was boisterous and domineering, and is now much less so.

 

[04101964]

I had my previous dobe done when he was 4 to try and reduce the aggression towards other dogs and it worked for a while, then he was attacked by another dog and couldn't defend himself. He'd just had an op to remove a tumour and was wearing one of those 'bucket things' over his head - hence he wasn't able to defend himself. This was the start of my nightmare and he would go for any dog. It was always difficult to let him off the lead and I constantly had to watch all our surroundings for other dogs. I felt so stressed!! And it can't have been much fun for him either as we did alot of walking on the lead. However, with age he did mellow.
My current dobe was done at 13 months and he's so laid back - it's embarrasing

He hides behind me when we meet other dogs!
I wish you good luck, I know how stressful this situation is.

 

[echodomino]

In my experience it made no difference. He wasn't aggressive towards every dog, just our older male but it got to the point where we didn't know what else to try so we had him castrated. It didn't work, we ended up rehoming him. So it's slightly different.

 

[PapaFrita]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm sorry I've not been able to reply sooner as we've got no internet at home! Anyhoo, the latest is that Otto (our dobe) is having his nuts off as I type. The trainer is adamant that he is NOT dangerous and castrating will do him a power of good. Shame our VET didn't seem to think so!!!!!! The other 2 boys will be having theirs off shortly as well.
Happy me!