Training : Intact Males: From other owners: Beth Mershon & boys...

Written by Beth Mershon
mershons@baypathleos.com
copyright 2001 Beth Mershon

Ah, the joys of owning an intact male-- aren't they a challenge?? I can empathize with what you both are going through with your one-year old males-- I was in your shoes at exactly this time last year. Duncan was also a "target" of older males-- both neutered and intact, Leos and other breeds-- and I was also knocked for a loop, wondering how all these big nasty males could be picking on my oh so sweet, "innocent" puppy.

I am NOT a Leo expert, nor a dog expert. But, one thing I have come to realize is that you have to be careful distinguishing between "aggression" and "inappropriate behavior." I think the term "aggression" is used incorrectly in situations where an adult male is attempting to assert his dominance over a younger male-- staring, standing stiff legged, body posturing (attempting to rest a head on the back of another dog, actual mounting, or standing over a dog that is laying down), and grumbling/growling-- all these are natural signals that dogs use to determine their position in the pack. However, when your puppy is on the receiving end of this sort of behavior (especially with a 30-50 pound size differential, all of which is muscle), it is definitely easy to label these behaviors as "aggressive," but, in my opinion (and others surely will disagree), they are not.

In a show situation, when dogs are on-leash, these are definitely *inappropriate* behaviors that should NOT be allowed. Here is where the training and socialization that Norm and Pat talked about are vital. A dog that has been taught to obey his owner in increasingly more distracting situations will heed a "watch me" command and avoid the "stare-down" that is usually the start of an encounter. He will also heed a "leave it" command and not pull his owner off his/her feet to get at another dog.

Brian, you wrote of wishing that you had some warning about what living with an intact male is about. I have only had my experience with Duncan, and watching a few other Leos grow up in the past two years. But, here's my "warning" of things to come in the next year (12 - 24 mos):

I think you both might be in the same stage of denial that I was in a year ago. Don't get offended-- you can't help but be in denial right now. ;-) Your pup has never shown this type of behavior before-- maybe a little mounting, but he has always been friendly, playful, and sweet. But reserve your judgment of the other dogs for now, or you will be in shock the second your puppy does something a whole lot similar to what you remember those "big mean males" doing just a few months earlier...

The big splash of cold water in my face happened when Duncan was about 21 months old. We were visiting friends with another intact male Leo (3 yrs)-- the two dogs had never had problems in the past. As we entered their back yard, the other male jumped up on me in greeting. Duncan saw this as threatening (it wasn't-- he was just saying "hi"), charged between us, and stood stiff-legged-- staring at the other male with his lip raised and a deep, menacing growl coming from somewhere in the pit of his chest. I had never heard a sound like that come out of him in his life, and never thought I would. The other male struck the same pose, and there was a growling standoff for what seemed like minutes, where we humans watched, fascinated, entranced almost-then all hell broke loose. Lots of growling and fur flying, but after we pulled them apart we found no real damage. But, that was it-- we had to watch the two of them like hawks from then on.

That was the first time Duncan stood his ground with another dog-- before then, he usually would end up standing very still, looking away, play-bowing, or laying down in submission. It was a real shocker to see my "puppy" give back what he got in a fight.

Also about the same time, he started some rough "play" with young adolescent males at a couple of get-togethers. I put the word "play" in quotation marks, because at first, this behavior was indistinguishable from the play he did with females and neutered males. But, a kind of escalation took place, where the body slams would be rougher, and the vocalizations louder and more grumbly. One or two times, the younger dog ended up being knocked off his feet, and Duncan stood over him, stiff-legged and alert.

At that point, the dogs were separated... Again, here's where training comes in-- at Duncan's birthday party a few weeks ago, this kind of "play" happened between Duncan and a one yr old intact male Leo. I intervened, and it took several strong "offs", one alpha roll (I hadn't had to do that for quite a while-- I can still roll a 130 pound Leo!), and a couple of long down stays, but he finally got the message through his thick skull that I didn't approve of his behavior, and went off to play spit head his sister Willow instead...

My advice-- training, training and more training, especially in the time between one and two years. It's easy to think that you've taught something already and your dog knows it. Hormones are raging-- think of them as the flashes of light used in the film "Men in Black" to wipe people's memories clean. ;-) The information is there one day, then *poof* it's gone. You have to keep reminding them that they need to obey you.

It does become less and less difficult as time goes on, but no less important. Also, watch the other older intact male Leos at shows and picnics, and imagine what you would do in their owners' shoes. Chances are, you will be facing the exact same thing down the road, and it will help you prepare for it.

One thing I worry a lot about is false advertising with Leos. We talk so much about Leos being "Gentle Giants" that people stop thinking of them as dogs. It's not fair to the breed, or to potential Leo owners. I know of people who have gotten Leos and haven't done any training or socialization because they thought it wasn't necessary with such a "naturally" sweet, loving breed. These unsocialized Leos could not even be approached by other dogs on-leash. I think the LCA is getting away from that "Gentle Giant" portrayal, and is offering a more balanced one (see the LCA website for "Reasons NOT to get a Leo"), which I think is a really good thing.

So-- that's been my experience. Intact males are a handful-- it's not all ribbons, complements from potential puppy-buyers, and inquiries from breeders. You have to be on the alert with them when they are around other males, even if they have obedience titles after their names or are certified therapy dogs. And if you haven't done that kind of training and socialization with them-- WATCH OUT!!

Cheers,
Beth and Duncan