The best way to break up a dog fight is to throw water on the dogs. This will usually startle the dogs enough to stop the fighting. Breaking up a dog fight with your hands can be very dangerous as you are liable to get bit or scratched. When I go to the dog park I bring a half gallon Tupperware container full of water. It's been enough to break up any altercation between dogs. Most dog parks have a faucet so I can refill it if I need to.
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theres another way i know of that also works. Ive seen water not work but PEPPER just about always works! they have to sneeze and feel temporary pain long enuf to stop the fight. Also, pepper weighs a lot less lol. :)
As a professional dog trainer, I must disagree with your suggestion of throwing water on fighting dogs.
When two dogs are fighting, the best thing to do is get another person to help you. Get behind one of the dogs and grab it's back feet at the ankles (if you can). Pull the dog away from the other one and put a leash on the dog if you have one. The other person can either do the same to the other dog or just put a leash on it and get it under control.
My two male dogs will occasionally fight, and my friend told me: let them fight, they aren't doing it to kill eachother if they aren't drawing blood -- I realized , this is true -- they stop on their own, don't draw blood, so am assuming it is just to establish pecking order. Of course, these are my own two dogs been together for 4 years at home, not at a public facility.
Try carrying a small spray bottle of simple vinegar with you on walks. An adjustable nozzle that allows a long spurt is preferable to keep you away from the fracas, as you wil be no help to your dog if you are injured yourself.
You obviously haven't seen an actual dog "fight". Water probably works for dogs that get into it over a toy or food but water will not break up a fight for dogs that are dog aggressive.
Two of my male dogs would get into fights over dominance. Both wanted to be alpha and as you know, there can only be one alpha. My 6'1" 270 lbs husband was the only thing that could break them apart, and even then he had trouble.
When 2 head strong dogs already have their minds made up about fighting, human interference is the only way to get them apart.
I've had some really horrible dog fights. The worst was when one of my young pitbulls went under a fence into a dog area with 9 chow mixes. The dog survived, I survived with 45 stitches and thanks to having a leash & heavy choke chain I held the dogs off till my husband came out to check on me 30 minutes later. In the coming days and months I spent time rethinking the whole scenario, new security, between the 2 groups of animals, scheduling play time and reevaluating myself and making serious changes.
I have gotten ugly on my dogs, physical and have put the fear of god into them to get them in line. I'd like to say that training and rational human thinking works but it's not so. Dogs understand Alpha behavior and I maintain that role at all times. I take care of problem behavior immediately, every time, no exception. My justice is swift. The other important step toward better behavior is exercise every single day like playing, running, sniffing and getting silly. Dog have to run out their energy that they accumulate. No exercise and you'll start seeing the bad behaviors like chewing, chasing other animals, aggression and fighting. Exercise the dog and it goes away.
Last. All dogs should be wearing to correct equipment in public. This mean a metal collar with the prongs (with rubber ends). It is the only way to maintain complete control of a dog...not a choker, harness or collar, ever. If your dog is aggressive buy a plastic muzzle (I love them) that fits well on the muzzle and around the neck. The dog should always wear it in public. It beats having a lawsuit.
Owning animals is a responsibility that requires time, knowledge and consistency. If you're having problems, just go to a PetCo or PetSmart and talk to one of their trainers about classes or at your local vet. Get your dog into a class and you will be taught how to be your dogs best friend...sit stay, down stay.
Yeah water doesn't do much. When Dogs are fighting like mine do over stupid crap like a toy , I use a Blanket to disorient them or I do the grab the back legs. Do not pull on a dogs collar as you are gonna get bit.
But if Water works for you then ok, but be safe and if your dog is starting fights at a Dog park, don't you think you should cease taking your dog there.
Your putting others at risk. Be a smart dog owner.
How about owners using plastic basket dog muzzles in dog parks if one is aggressive? They can open their mouths a bit, pant and be kind of natural. The dog cannot bite through the basket. It sure would making the outings more friendly for the dogs and people. For some reason, no one does it.
site with example plastic muzzles: www.morrco.com/
I have two Alpha Females. Not all dog fights are equal.
In our situation, grabbing Rosie by the back legs and trying to pull her out of a fight does not work. She hung in mid air and still did not let go. She was a feral puppy before adopting us and she is fierce.
If you've ever seen the fight scene between Old Yeller and the Bear those are the type of fights we have. Both our dogs are large.
Like it or not, there are times that two dogs will never get along, no matter what you do. Sort of like two rival gangs fighting over a street, no one wins and the fights continue.
I love both my dogs and its very, very upsetting to not have them get a long. Using pepper spray did not break up a fight in my case. We're talking stitches, staples and trips to the Vet and Emergency Room for us humans.
Over the years I've tried everything I know and then some, the only solution in our case is keeping the two separated.
We have two crates in our Den and 2 dog couches. When we watch TV one of the dogs is always in a crate with no exceptions. I rotate them out but they like their crates and prefer to stay in them. They feel safe and don't have to worry about being jumped. I always have one crate secured and these are big crates with comforters in them.
We have them situated next to each of our chairs, have plywood cut to fit on the top of each one and have lamps on them. Sort of like workable furniture.
We use dog gates to separate rooms and Ginger lets me know when she wants to change rooms. I always have one of them with me and Ginger will actually scratch on the gate to let me know she wants to spend time with me and then I swap them out.
All in all it works great and I've even taught them to wait so I can walk one past the other to let them out in the back yard.
I am always in between the two of them. We have a 3rd dog who loves everyone and all our dogs love to sit by the front window and I use that to my advantage. It's almost like a reward and they take turns being in the front.
In my case because Rosie was feral she's always had the mind set to attack first to save her own hide and I understand that. Survival mode is the worse sort of fight any animal can be in.
With time I have learned what to watch for and it basically comes down to knowing what to expect and be prepared.
Both dogs are always fed in their crates, no exception. I also know that Rosie has a tendency to fight when she is overly stimulated so each day, each dog gets quality play time with me alone in another room.
I never have more than one dog in the Living Room at one time. This has stopped all fights if someone knocks on the door.
Because Rosie doesn't play well with others, I never have her around other dogs. She loves people and is great with kids, she's smart and funny. She's a great dog, she just has some issues. I wish I had a quarter for every time someone suggested I find her a new home or put her down. I won't give away a problem and I know her far better than anyone else. Not to mention she's my mouser on the few times we've had an unwanted critter from the field out back in the winter.
Dog fights are very, very dangerous and scary. I tried for years to make everything work out but in the end it never did.
My home is peaceful, quiet and the dogs know what I expect of them. As I write this both are sound asleep in their crates with a handful of dog treats each until I have my breakfast. I do give each dog the same amount of attention and in the end all is well.
It doesnt always work. My 2 American bull dogs got in a death fight... (They always got along.) I tried water and a hose...one was severely torn up. When a dog gets the MAD DOG SYNDROME for a few minutes they are in for the kill. I rescue dogs and they can turn on another pet dog in an instant. Please beware. 2 of us tried to break it up to no avail. It was awful. Both lived...had to give one away. I love my pooches.
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