How to Avoid a Dog Fight
Article written by Nancy Settecasi
A dog fight can be dangerous to both you and your dog. Any breed of dog can get into a dog fight regardless of his kind demeanor and playfulness. A dog fight can develop based on how two dogs respond to each other. Their reasons for fighting are actually quite similar to some of the reasons humans fight. Dogs will fight for territorial control, gaining dominance over another dog, feeling insecure or threatened or just plain jealousy.
Ways to break up a dog fight
There are many different ways to break up a dog fight and avoid getting hurt in the process.
- Never try to break up a dog fight by attempting to separate the dogs with your hands. You will most likely get bitten in the process. You and a friend could try grabbing a dog each by their hind legs and lift them upward, forcing the dog to walk backwards on their front legs while pull them away from each other. Keep in mind that there is always some risk involved in using this technique. Use your discretion and be cautious!
- If one of the dogs is an aggressive breed, such as a pitbull, then you must wedge a breaking stick into the side of his mouth in order to get him to release his jaws if he has already sunken his teeth into another dog. Although pitbulls do not have lockjaw, they have incredibly strong jaws which they use to firmly grip and shake their victims. You must be properly trained to use a breaking stick safely.
- If you find Scruffy in a dog fight with another dog, you can try spraying the dogs with a hose or a water gun. This will startle them and often makes them stop.
- Grab an object that can be wedged between them and used as a barrier, such as a garbage can cover.
- Make a loud noise in order to cause a distraction.
How to avoid a dog fight
- Always walk your dog on a leash. You never know how the other dog will react but you will at least be able to control your own dog.
- Early socializing with other dogs.
- Spay or neuter your dog (does not always help).
- If you have two dogs, feed them in opposite corners of the room and don't allow the one who finishes first to approach the other dog while he is still eating.
- Do not suddenly apply tension to your dog's leash because another dog is approaching. He will acknowledge this as an "alert" signal from you which may result in a dog fight.
Confrontational signs
- Stone cold stare
- Ears perked up
- Firm stance; body stiff and tense
- Growling or showing teeth
By educating yourself on how to respond to a dog fight, you can protect yourself and your dog from harm.