Seratonin Effects on an Unneutered Dog
Serotonin is a chemical in the canine brain that causes several different urges and functions. The urges serotonin causes differ between females, neutered males and intact males. By far, serotonin affects intact or un-neutered males more than female and neutered male dogs.
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Dominance
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Serotonin present in the intact male's brain causes the "need" to be dominant. This causes a number of behaviors to occur, which makes a dog step to the front of the crowd or act in ways the owner or other dogs may never have seen or noticed before.
Aggressive Dominance
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When a dog desires to be dominant due to an increased amount of serotonin, it acts out in certain ways. The dog will become more assertive, particularly to other intact males. In turn, these intact males may join in dominance play. You will notice the need to "stand taller" or the need to place their muzzle on top of another male's nose, showing a higher ranking. This most often will cause aggressive fighting between intact males.
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Sexual Dominance
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Serotonin is one of the main reasons dogs, both neutered and intact males and sometimes females, will hump. Though dogs have been highly domesticated, their natural urges to be dominant prevail, even in domestication. This means that the dog needs to show that it is the dominant dog, and dominant dogs in the wild are given the opportunity to breed with as many members of the group as desired. Humping gives the dog a sense that he is dominant and satisfies the urges from serotonin.
Low Level Aggressiveness
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On the opposite side of the serotonin scale, when a dog has a low level of serotonin and does not have the urge to hump, it feels a little "off." This "off" feeling causes it to become aggressive and lash out. It no longer feels the need for dominance, but is frustrated and angered. Impulsive behaviors, such as a calm dog suddenly biting a familiar person, may be noticed as well.
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