How to Break Up a Dog Fight – Safe and Effective Way
Learning how to break up a dog fight is not only one of the many skills that dog owners need, but it is a skill that needs to be practiced often.
Here, the focus is on dog fights in different households, but many of the principles can apply to multi-dog homes.
In dog fights, there’s a high risk of injury to people. Use caution and make sure to consult with trainers.
WHY DOG FIGHTS HAPPEN
Dog fights happen for many reasons, though the reasons are often unknown.
Some dogs don’t seem to get along
RESOURCE GUARDING & TERRITORY GUARDING
When dogs feel that something important to them is threatened, they react accordingly.
Here are some common things that dogs will guard:
- Bones/chews
- Treats and any food
- Toys
- Territory (ie, your home)
- Other dogs in your home (ie, your 1st dog defends your second dog against a random dog)
- Their hoomans
Dogs may attack other animals should they feel like the animal is in their territory or trying to take their favorite toy, territory, or being a threat in general.
HOW TO AVOID RESOURCE GUARDING FIGHTS
Some dogs might fight over a toy or bones, so if you see other dogs, try to avoid giving them anything the other dog might want.
If you have another dog over to your home, feed them in a separate room.
If you feel like the timing is not right to bring a new toy or food, it is best to skip it.
OVERSTIMULATION
At times, dogs may fight due to overstimulation. This is generally because the play has turned particularly rough.
Dogs often play until they need to stop and their pack has a hard time catching these signs. In this case, decision-making skills can decline.
The best thing you can do to make your dog happy is to give them space. Having playtime with other dogs is great, but if they get too rough, remember to give them some space.
To make outings more fun for our dogs, we need to watch out for their body language. Dogs can sometimes feel overwhelmed by large amounts of stimuli and so parks and dog days can be tiring because of it.
POOR SOCIAL SKILLS
Have you ever been around someone who refuses to respect your personal space?
Animals can understand each other. Dogs communicate with humans through cues and body language to show a range of emotions.
Sometimes, dogs have trouble reading other dogs’ cues. This is often due to not being socialized enough with other dogs. It can also happen as a result of “pandemic puppies” that come from pet stores and are used for breeding purposes rather than to be pets.
Read our guide on top training tips for you new dog
HOW TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT SAFELY
If your dog gets involved in a fight, there are few options to try and break it up safely. You must always be careful when breaking up a dog fight. The risk is that you may get attacked or bitten while trying to stop the fighting.
We recommend a variety of solutions for stopping a dog fight, but the safest and most effective options are these.
NOISE, DISTRACTIONS & WATER
When dogs fight, they enter a mode and it is difficult to get them out.
One way to stop a dog fight is to use sound, distractions, or something similar to break them out of “the zone”. This will allow you enough time to take your dog and move to safety.
One way to get the attention of your dog is to be loud and distracting while trying to break them out of the situation. If you can stop the dog for a few seconds, you will be able to get them out of the situation.
PUT SOMETHING (NOT you) BETWEEN THE DOGS
If you want to break up a dog fight, get something between the dogs. Major options include a leash, clothes, or anything big and heavy enough to separate the two dogs.
One technique that’s useful when you don’t have anything is using an object or device to create a barrier between the dogs.
The best way to deescalate a dog fight is by keeping an object between the dogs.
THE WHEELBARROW METHOD FOR BREAKING UP DOG FIGHTS (can be risky)
There are mixed reviews on the wheelbarrow method, but it can be a good way to split up fighting dogs.
Walk backward and in a circular motion to prevent your dog from reaching back and snapping at you
Make sure to continue walking both dogs backward until you have found a safe space, if not you must leash up one.
It is important to keep in mind that you should be circling the area where you are, so the dog cannot reach you.
If you ever try to stop a dog fight and get involved, there is a chance that the dog could bite or attack you. This is because they are aroused and made aggressive by the other dog.
SOME OTHER METHODS
One idea is to give a quick, loud clap and shout before grabbing the dog by the collar/scruff. The idea is controversial; however, it has worked for those in these situations.
Lowering your height while keeping the dog on a leash can help to make them feel more comfortable. You can also try walking backward with the dog while they’re still on their leash to get them to go away.
If you cannot use other methods, such as publishing content without domain authority or producing them at a faster rate, these two methods can be used.
THINGS NOT TO DO WHEN DOG FIGHTS HAPPEN
There are a few common factors among most dog fight prevention strategies.
1- DON’T USE YOUR HANDS
If you try to separate fighting dogs, you might get bit.
Even if you believe your dog would never bite you, they might in the heat of the moment. It can be very unpredictable.
Getting your hands involved is a risky strategy.
2- DON’T GET IN BETWEEN THE DOGS
When separating dogs, it’s not enough to use your body as a barrier between them. They may still fight if they are motivated to do so, especially if they are of the same breed.
Dogs attack each other for domination. If you get knocked over, you risk injury and the dog may still turn on you.
If you get between two fighting dogs, there is a big risk that you might get hurt.
3- DON’T KICK, HIT, OR YANK THE DOGS
Do not hit, kick, or yank the dogs.
You will make enemies if you show a competitive streak.
4- DO NOT LET THE FIRST BITE HAPPEN
Having established that a dog fight has ended, go about any follow-up; as yet an unmentioned procedure.
The dogs should not be allowed to play for a few minutes before being taken for a walk again.
Much like at a crime scene, you should clear the area and leave it as vacant as possible.
How dogs should not be near each other if they’ve had a bad fight
5- CHECK FOR INJURIES & CALM YOUR PUP
Ways to Calm a Dog
- Don’t punish your dog. This will make things worse. Instead, try to calm them down and have them focus.
- Dogs react with violence when they are injured, so wait until your dog has calmed down to avoid injury to yourself.
- Your pup’s most common area for injuries would be the head and neck, but be sure to check your dog’s belly and legs, too.
- If an animal is injured, it is important to take them to a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital. This will depend on the severity of the injury, but in most cases, it’s better to get it done sooner rather than later.
Read: 5 Smart Dog Toys that will Keep your Dog Tired
Exchange Information With Other Pup Parents
When fighting occurs, it is important to exchange information with the other dog’s parent or guardian.
You could come across some people who believe the dog was at fault, so it might not always be a good idea to re-create the scene. If you predict that detail will lead to more problems, then it’s best to leave the situation as is.
It’s often necessary to exchange contact information if one or either of the dog and humans are injured.
If you liked these tips, you would love this online dog training course:
Read our guide on how to find the best dog trainer in Dubai
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