As dog owners, the possibility of a dog fight breaking out is a very real risk.
That's why it's important to know how to break up a dog fight if the situation arises.
This article shares some best practices for breaking up a dog fight. Using these methods will minimize the risk of injury to yourself, your dog and the other animals outside.
If the situation is escalating rapidly and it's impossible to prevent a fight, focus on breaking up the fight in the safest way possible. According to internationally acclaimed dog behaviorist, the late Dr. Sophia Yin, it's important to avoid actions that may cause the dogs to transfer their aggression towards you.
Preventing dog fights:
Being aware of triggers for dog fights can help you minimize the risk of dangerous fights occurring. Food and toys are two of the most common triggers for fights. This is because dogs can become possessive of these items, and show aggression when guarding them.
A simple way to reduce the risk of dog fights is to avoid feeding dogs next to each other. It's always best to feed multiple dogs on opposite sides of the room – or even in different rooms. Another tip is to remove and wash food bowls as soon as dogs have finished eating. Taking these steps will help prevent aggression caused by dogs becoming overly possessive.
Toys and bones can also lead to possessive behavior and aggression. Never attempt to remove a toy or bone from a dog's mouth using your hand; instead distract the dog with another toy or treat to refocus their attention before taking away the item.
The following methods are recommended to minimize risk of injury:
Distract the fighting dogs: Try distracting the dogs by throwing water over them. A loud noise such as an air horn or two metal objects being banged together can also be effective.
Some dogs will stop fighting when they can't see the other dog, so try throwing a blanket or jacket over the dogs to calm them down.
Use the “wheelbarrow method.” The wheelbarrow method is one of the safest ways to break up a dog fight. With this method, each person should grab the hind legs of the fighting dogs, lift them off the ground, and walk backwards to pull the dogs apart. It's important to raise the dogs' hind legs far enough off the ground to force them to stand on their front legs. This will restrict their movements and make it difficult to fight. Always isolate and secure dogs when separated after a fight.
Place a barrier between the dogs. If you're alone when a dog fight breaks out, placing a barrier between the fighting dogs is a safer method to use. A large object such as a garbage can lid, chair, or piece of wood can work well for this purpose – just make sure to keep your hands out of harm's way at all times.
Warning signs of a dog fight:
Another way to prevent dog fights is to observe for warning signs. Understanding these signs can help you deescalate a potentially dangerous situation.
Here are some signs that dogs feel threatened and may be ready to attack:
Growling
Bared teeth
Flattened ears
Raised hackles
Stiffness
Staring
If you notice any of these signs, the best course of action is to calmly separate the dogs involved. Once separated, keep the dogs out of each other's sight – in different locations if possible. Secure the dogs by leashing them to immovable objects or placing them behind closed doors.
What not to do:
We've outlined several methods you can use to safely break up a dog fight, now let's take a look at what not to do:
Never get between fighting dogs
Never reach in with your hands to separate fighting dogs
Never put your face close to a dog fight
Never grab a dog by the tail and attempt to pull him away from a fight
It's important to remain calm during a dog fight, and avoid any actions that could lead to serious injury.
I know that is not easy when we see our dogs in a bad situation but keep in mind that following these practices will keep our dogs in a safer environment!
As owners it is our responsibility!
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