She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Breaking up a dog fight can be tricky and dangerous. What tools should I use for each type of fight? Also, don’t hit a fighting dog, because the dog will assume it’s being attacked and only fight harder. BREAKING UP A FIGHT: OVERVIEW. One of the most successful methods of breaking up fighting dogs is the “wheelbarrow method.” It’s done by two people grabbing onto the back legs of their respective dogs and pulling the dogs away from one another, essentially making it impossible to keep fighting. When that doesn’t work, the instinct is to physically attempt to put your own body between the two dogs in an attempt to rescue your baby. ", don't like him, so I have to encourage him to carry on walking; then he cries until that dog is out of sight. Conflicts can be about hidden or unconscious beliefs and values. Each person grabs a dog's back feet and lifts them off the ground. ", often wondered if it would just fuel the aggression. If you have a hose available, turning a blast into the middle of the fight will usually work. Jackie McGowan, of Click Start Dog Training in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, attended a seminar given by Turid Rugaas, and reports that the highly respected Norwegian trainer had few suggestions for magic techniques for breaking up fights. I couldn't get to a bucket of water, but thanks to you, I knew to grab a chair and shove it between them! You can use a loud, strong voice or grunt directly at him and pull up from the back of his neck and collar – not from the top, but from the back and pull up, otherwise he can interpret this as you getting into the fight as well, and this is when the dog can turn on the human and bite him because his level of intensity is so high, he doesn’t think “oh, that’s the human.” You’re just another dog in the fight and before you know it, the dog you’re trying to defend is coming after you. ", Also, clanging metal objects together. Alternatively, use a large object such as a chair to separate the two dogs. Sometimes an ultrasonic dog deterrent can also startle dogs enough to break up a fight. If there is one thing you must remember, do not grab your fighting dog by the collar. I am impulsive when it comes to these things and it caused me to ask what is the best thing to do when witnessing a dog fight? “Being the manager of your pet’s relationships and becoming familiar with the stressed and fearful body language of dogs is the best way to stay proactive,” says Gore. After a moment, the dogs should disengage and each person must pull their dog by his back legs away from the other. Never grab a dog by their collar because dogs will only think that you’re another enemy. The tool you choose should be suited to the environment; pepper spray is not appropriate for use in dog parks, … Physical methods for breaking up a fight are a last resort, and are for use when other options are exhausted or non-existent. Contact animal control in your area and the Animal Protection League. ", to pull them apart. Is it too late to train her to not show aggression? How to break up a dog fight. I briefly touched on this in a previous post regarding what to do if you find yourself in the midst of a dog fight while walking your dog.. That post got a lot of comments, some of which I found highly disturbing. I have read several articles in our local paper about people witnessing a dog fight and wanting to stop the dog fight but did not know how to stop a dog fight. If you have a dog and he goes to the dog park, lives with doggie housemates, or otherwise socializes with other dogs, chances are at some point you may need to break up a spat. Breaking up a dog fight is a very dangerous activity. 6 Great Ways To Challenge Your Dog’s Mind, Lost Dog Runs Towards Family Like A Scene From A Movie, Golden Retriever Refuses To Give Up Pacifier, Female Dogs in Heat: How to Handle Agression, Dog in mourning: Helping our pets cope with loss, Things You Can Do To Extend Your Dog’s Life, Dog Approved People Food That Will Not Harm, Acute Diarrhea In Dogs and How to Treat It. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. You don’t need to break up the fight unless one dog is in real danger or if it is in heat or pregnant. Keep your face away from them. At Cesar’s Way , we strive to be a single pack, and packs have rules, and limitations. These tips are just so helpful. I hope to not have to try these techniques, but wanted any more knowledge, as knowledge is power. If you don’t have a hose, a spray bottle or bucket of water may also work. ", http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/breaking-dogfight, http://www.petfinder.com/pro/for-shelters/breaking-dog-fights-shelter, https://books.google.com/books?id=USfJJOu3VAkC&pg=PT532&lpg=PT532&dq=throw+a+blanket+over+fighting+dogs&source=bl&ots=Vim1t1ELRu&sig=5s-p_AtG7XrcF1JPn87zyPqj9HM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBGoVChMIh_GwnrOkxwIVh9k-Ch3Bxwuf#v=onepage&q=throw%20a%20blanket%20over%20fighting%20dogs&f=false, http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/ask-expert-breaking-dog-fight/20223, http://www.shepardhavenlaw.com/stop-a-dog-fight/, http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/behavior-training/understanding-your-dog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-dog-bites. ", "How to break up a dog fight is helpful!". The topic of how to break up a dog fight seems to evoke a wade-right-in, rather macho attitude in some people. Pippa Elliot, a licensed veterinarian, shares: "A short, sharp surprise, such as throwing water over the dogs, is the best method for breaking up a fight. Your greatest advantage in this situation is a clear head. The youngest one is larger than the oldest. In fact, citronella collars are often used as a bark prevention tool. ", "My two little girls fight often, and this really helped me understand how to break them up. Always leash your dog when you're outside to be safe. If they continue to fight, you can grab one of the dog’s hind legs from behind, like a wheelbarrow, and back away with it to keep it away from the other dog. Consult a lawyer and see if it is worth it. Dog fights can be a frightening and dangerous experience both for the two dogs and the humans. ", fight. 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