Nienke and I recently discussed this briefly. In about a month, I am moving all the way across town. Our current outdoor house dog (White) is a medium sized, trained, adult, mixed male who was here when we arrived 2.4 years ago. He shares us with the folks across the klong, and is a permanent resident of the moobahn who knows his pecking order and territory.

My partner says that White is a dog in this moobahn, who has literally earned his scars over the years by keeping his place in that pecking order. I hate the idea of leaving White, but he will be cared for. But if he moves with us, White would have to compete for a place in a New World Order. We are thinking of getting a weaned, immunized, neutered young dog after we move. Is that reasonable?

My partner says that White is a dog in this moobahn, who has literally earned his scars over the years by keeping his place in that pecking order. I hate the idea of leaving White, but he will be cared for. But if he moves with us, White would have to compete for a place in a New World Order. We are thinking of getting a weaned, immunized, neutered young dog after we move. Is that reasonable?

Sensibly thought out. I am no canine expert but the logic of leaving him in his current habitat is fairly clear. I would would have a different take if it had been your dog from the start, but having ''adopted" him within this environment I think it is better to leave him their.

Parental visits seem in order

I think it depends on where White sees himself and you within the pecking order.

If he sees you as one of the pack members but he is top-dog and if it is guaranteed that he will be well-taken care off after you have left, then maybe better leave him there.

If he sees you as top-dog, I believe it is better to bring him along.

There is however one but ... and that is that you say he earned his scars ... Does that mean he isn't neutered yet while he is able to roam around and thus able to make many many and even more many unwanted puppies?

Maybe start with stopping this production line. Then look how his behavior changes and maybe his place within the pecking order. And then rethink your decision.

Nienke, since I have no degree in dog psychology, I have no idea about White's pecking order or pecker. He sniffs but does not mount females. I do not even know if he is gay. Other male dogs here do mount the females, but White apparently does not. But he aggressively encounters various male and female dogs and fights them, dominates them, or runs away.

We do not even know how to check for neutering. He has testicles, but we do not speak a common language, and White and I have not discussed this.

If he were neutered, PB, the testicle sacs would be empty.

If he were neutered, PB, the testicle sacs would be empty.

That's not how the doctor neutered me.

Too much information, PB, waaay too much information

Is it me, or is this thread now getting just a little bit scary ?