BREAKING UP A DOG FIGHT
In the event of a serious dog fight the aim is to break it up as quickly and safely as possible . Therefore some punitive methods not otherwise recommended may be necessary in the event of a fight taking place .
The first line of defence is to prevent a fight happening in the first place . If your dog is fearful aggressive or even friendly but over enthusiastic or rough ,address this issue by way of reactivity techniques that teach your dog to be calm , not reactive .I can teach you these techniques. Build a solid recall with distraction and dont let your dog off the leash or a long line (which lets your dog be effectively "free" but under control ) until you have a reliable recall no matter what distractions are present .
PREVENTION -IN THE STREET/PARK
Don't allow your dog to meet every dog it sees- and don't believe the owner of that out -of -control, not- coming- when- called off leash dog rushing up to your's when they shout "He's friendly! " That's code for "I have no control !" I avoid dog parks because in my experience many people take their dogs there because it's the only place they can release them and have them not able to run off .Avoid by teaching your dog to turn back to you( before you need this skill ) and walk briskly away , and toss a handful of treats towards the other dog as you go. Most dogs wont follow you far ,and if they do the owner will be motivated to run after you to catch it . Yell "He's infectious !" Putting a muzzle on your dog if warranted will motivate other people to keep their dogs away .Cross or stand in the middle of a rd if nearby - this will stop traffic, motivate the owner to grab their dog , and hopefully get you some help and witnesses if attacked . If your dog is off lead ,call your dog and run or walk quickly away so your dog will follow you. You can get behind the nearest gate , ring a doorbell of the nearest house that seems to have someone home to help , or carry a shake can ( empty soft drink can with some stones in it taped shut) or a riding crop - a cheap, light- to -carry horse riding whip that can hang from your wrist that makes a scary swish , stings like crazy , and lets you use it at a distance . If you can't increase distance , teaching your dog "middle " ( stand facing forward between your legs ) will help keep your dog calm and keep you and your dog safer than if you tried to pick it up . See my face book page video section for video on teaching middleor give me a call .
IS THE DOG SUITABLE TO MEET ?
What if you want your dogs to meet ? Avoid tension on the leash . Dogs should meet in neutral territory . Dont take other dogs into your dog's home turf, or vice versa. Make sure any dog your dog is to meet has a good history of playing off leash with a variety of dogs when between 8-16 weeks old. Have the dogs continued to play well with unfamilar dogs ? Have they ever bitten and punctured dog or human skin ?What does one dog do if the other dog wants to grab a toy , food, or get close to you ?Does the meeting place enable you to seperate the dogs if needed behind a gate or strong dog crate /pen ? Dog should not meet face to face but be presented to each other nose to groin . Its better to start with the dogs at a distance and slowly get closer. There are a number of techniques you can use to introduce them - I can help you with this .
WHAT IF YOUR DOGS FIGHT AT HOME ?
Fights between dogs that live together are usually about resources or redirected aggression or in the case of intact dogs, hormonal. The mistake that most people make is not identifying and addressing the triggers , and seperating the dogs after a fight then trying to bring them back together after they calm down . Dogs need to calm down in each other 's presence ( safely ).You need help with reactivity , disengagement , and counter conditioning techniques - this WON'T get better on its own.
IF A FIGHT HAPPENS
Don't panic ! Most fights sound worse than they are , and panicking or screaming will only make it worse . So what can you do ?
If you suspect your dogs may fight , have head collars or front leash attachment harnesses or basket muzzles if needed and leads on them when together under supervision so you can just grab the end of the lead and remove the aggressor . This is a temporary measure while you address the cause of the fights with training ,but is your safest option .
If you don't have a lead on the dogs , if possible, ringing the doorbell will often stop a fight . Alternatively throwing a blanket or coat over each dog seperately will often srtop the fight (be ready to grab them ). Spray the dogs with water - preferably a hose .Use a shake can or bang pots, or an oven tray , or bang chair legs on the floor , or drop something - any loud noise . If the situation happens enough to warrrant it get an air horn from a marine supply store . You can push a chair leg or a tray or oven tray /rack , sheet of galvanised iron , or similar between the dogs. If you expect you may need it have a spray bottle ready with a strong mix of vinegar or lemon juice and water in it .
You may use the wheel barrow technique if necessary -but you are risking getting bitten . Co-ordinate your actions with a second person. Each person at the same time grags a dog by the hind legs at the point where the knee meets the stifle and swings the dog to their right so their mouths move away from each other. This makes it harder (but not impossible )for the dog to bite the human . Once seperated get one dog out the closest exit.
.A "break stick "is a very effective tool dog fighters use to pry one dog's jaws off another . This is dangerous for you and the dog so be aware of the risk . A tent stake or wood splitting tool or similar will provide you with a last ditch method to pry a dog off if nothing else works .Preferably tether one dog and pull the other away so both are stretched out then wedge the stick in the gripping dog's mouth and twist until it lets go . This is obviously difficult to do and you may have to wedge the stick as best you can without tethering the dog.
Obviously some of these methods carry more risk than others and not the preferred method but if necessary do what you must . Preventing a fight is a far better option- and that's where training comes in .
