Hi all. This is my first post on any forum, so please excuse me being somewhat of a noob.
I am a dog walker, looking after a veriety of dogs, from Bichon Frise to Rottweilers.
The situation has arrisen where one of my clients has 2 rotties, one aged 5 (he's huge) and one aged 1. They both get along at the moment. Now the client has brought another dog into the pack, a 9 week old Shar Pei x American Bulldog.
At the time of writing this post, all the dogs are intact.
Please give me any thoughts you have on this situation, as I think there is a possiblity things could get out of hand.
I have recomended the dogs are neutered, and the puppy go to puppy classes.
I look forward to hearing any of your thoughts on this.
Cheers. Dave

Dave, I'm not sure whether or not you're returning the the forum, but I'll post this anyway. Maybe you'll see it.

With any dog, there is a possibility of aggression. However, neutering will do nothing to prevent it. The less informed people recommend neutering. It reduces testosterone, and eventually gets rid of it completely. However, neutering rarely changes a dogs behaviour. And you cannot neuter a 9 week old puppy, especially of such a big-boned mix. I suppose that's just personal preference. It CAN be done, but I'd never recommend it due to the growth problems the dog will have.

Neutering may stop leg lifting (cocking) and but that's about it. The dog will be more laid back about the "pack" approach and "alpha" and all that, but it won't stop any form of aggression. (prepares for battle )

As you simply walk this persons dogs and you yourself are not sure what to do in this situation, mind your own business. I can't think of a nicer way of saying it. If you can't recommend anything, then don't try. The owner will figure it all out when the time comes. If you don't feel comfortable walking these three dogs, then don't. You're doing the owner a favour; not the other way around.

Thank you for your reply.
I have not left the forum, my last posts appear to have been deleated.
I wasnt recommending neutering the puppy, he's far too young.
I do feel comfortable in walking these dogs, I have been walking all breeds for many many years, of all shapes, sizes and tempements.
I object strongly in you sayin "mind your own business" as I only have the dogs well being first and foremost. Beart in mind also, these dogs are very rarely walked, perhaps once a week. If not minding my own business means walking these dogs every day, irrespective of what bread they are, then i'm not going to mind my own business. I think they deserve more, and the client is more than willing for me to help

You'll need to do some hardcore researching then, because if anything goes wrong with the dogs, the owner can place full blame on you, as you're the one who's been recommending things.

While I understand wanting the dogs to be happy and healthy, your business is at serious risk. What if something were to go wrong, and the owner were to blame it on the advice you gave him/her, whether it your fault or not? If s/he went public with the issue, people aren't going to be lining up to have you walking their dogs.

Find some trainers in your area or suggest a book for the owner to read, or even send him/her to a forum. At the end of the day, the dogs don't belong to you, and the decisions their owner makes are entirely out of your hands.

Are there any aggression issues now? If not, what are you trying to do?

If you want to help, then go ahead. Just remember that you and your business will be at risk.

Recommending the dogs be neutered, was not meant as a way of preventing aggression, nor to change a bogs behaviour as you imply. At this time, the dogs are well behaved, with no signs of aggression. However, having 3 powerful breeds of dogs in a small room all day, not walked and all intact, could potentially lead to an an anxious/frustrated dog, especially if he is deprived of mating
Apart from medical reasons or breeding, it would be the responsible thing to do. I advised them to seek vet’ advice too.
I walk dogs every day, and have several clients all of which are more than happy with the service I provide. Indeed, if anything were to go wrong with any of my clients dogs, I stand a chance of a client blaming me, weather or not advice was given. And I hardly think that giving advice like having their dog neutered, or taking their puppy to puppy classes would give cause for things to go wrong.

By "something could go wrong", I didn't mean when you're walking the dogs. I meant when you're giving advice to the owner of the dogs you want to help. If she takes your advice, and thinks what you suggested she do has caused a problem, she could easily blame it on you and publicly bash your business.

Neutering can cause fleeting behavioural problems, as it messes with the dogs testosterone levels. If handled correctly, the problems are just that. Fleeting.

I'm glad you have clients who are happy with your service. I'm sorry if my post was confusing; I didn't mean this client wouldn't be happy with your walking services.

As I said, recommend trainers, books and/or vets, or do your homework before suggesting anything from your own words.