Ask A Scientist© Veterinary Topics Archive

name         Kimberley B.
status       student
age          20s

Question -   I have two male puppy teacup poodles.  The first is
Higgins who is seven months old.  I have had him four months.  The second
is Bosley who is three months old. Up until two weeks ago they have been
getting along very well. They truly love one another & enjoy the time
they spend together. Lately,  when I arrive home,& I let them out of
their room, they begin to fight & attack one another quite fiercely. I
separate them, & they will continue to do this for the rest of the night.
I have tried several things to modify this behavior. They get along fine
when they are alone, but when I am with them they fight. Can you please
tell me why they do this, and how to get them to stop?
It is very frightening to see and here them as they truly attack each other.
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They do this because they are both males, and haven't been neutered. This is
NORMAL behavior for unaltered male dogs, which is one reason why most people
alter their dogs.

I cannot offer you behavioral advice, because, as I mentioned, this is
NORMAL for unaltered male dogs. Alter the older one ASAP and the younger at
about six months of age.

Phillip Raclyn, DVM CVA
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