How to Break up a Dog Fight
July 16th, 2010 | Published in Dog Information | 36 Comments
On Sunday, we had a very traumatic experience at my house. One of my boarders attacked another dog and wouldn’t let go. In my five years of boarding dogs, I’ve never seen a dog fight that vicious and last that long. Let me tell you, it was very freighting. The two dogs in question were a Yellow Lab and an American Bulldog – both females.
Cocoa Bean the American Bulldog
Guess which one was the aggressor? The Yellow Lab. Bailey was an otherwise sweet, obedient lab that according to her owner has never showed aggression before. For some reason, she didn’t like Cocoa Bean.
Needless to say, this incident was very traumatic for me and my family and of course the owners of both dogs. It’s not easy to learn that your dog attacked a dog and it’s difficult to see your dog with puncture wounds and abrasions. Don’t worry, I took her to the vet and she is doing just fine.
This incident drives home the point that it isn’t the breed, but how the dogs relate to each other. Who knows why Cocoa Bean brought out this behavior in Bailey. We all love our dogs like they were part of the family, but we must always remember that they are animals with animal instincts.
Usually when there’s a scuffle between two dogs, I can break it up with vocal commands or squirting water in their face, but this time was different. I tried everything to get the dog off, but nothing helped, so I have to admit, I was at a loss.
So, I thought I’d do some research and find out what I could have done in this situation and pass that information along to you.
How to break up a dog fight
Of course it’s always best to avoid them getting into a fight in the first place. Their body language plays a big part in deciphering their behavior.
According to Cherie Langlois, here’s some clues to know when a fight might break out:
“A hard, unwavering, targeted stare.
Dominance posturing, such as mounting.
Stiff body movements.
Extreme body language: the tail held stiffly up or down, lips pulled tight against the teeth”.
I can say from experience that Bailey did exhibit this kind of behavior. I’ve seen this behavior before and nothing ever came from it. One piece of advice – please don’t antagonize the dogs – STAY CALM and try to diffuse the situation calmly. They’re already on a trigger hair at this point and you don’t want to make it worse. If a fight does break out, please do not try to pull them apart by their collars. Don’t put your hands anywhere near their mouths. You will most likely get bit yourself!
If they are already fighting, you can try:
Bailey the Yellow Lab
Spraying water in their faces
Some has said that Citronella Spray helps. It’s a safer alternative to Pepper Spray.
Cattle Prods and Shock Collars, however this can put them in more of a fight mode and try to attack the prod or think that the other dog is hurting them and want to fight more. You can condition them to the collars and prods, but not in the middle of a fight. Work with them beforehand.
The most effective and safe way to stop a fight requires two people: Leerburg Training explains it this way, “Each person grabs the back feet of one of the dogs. The dogs back feet are then picked up like a wheelbarrow. With the legs up, both dogs are then pulled apart.
Once the dog fight is broken up and the dogs pulled apart , it is critical that the people do not release the dogs or the dog fight will begin again. The two people need to start turning in a circle, or slowly swinging the dogs in a circle while they back away from the other dog. This stops the dog from curling and coming back and biting the person holding their legs.
By circling the dog has to sidestep with its front feet or it will fall on its chin. As long as you slowly continue to back and circle, the dog cannot do any damage to you. To insure that the fight will not begin all over again when you release the dogs, one of the dogs needs to be dragged into an enclosure (i.e. a kennel, the garage, another room) before the dog is released. If you do not do this, the dogs will often charge back and start fighting again or if you release the dog to quickly the dog will turn and attack the person who had his feet.”
Do you have effective ways of breaking up a dog fight? I’d love to hear your stories.
July 16th, 2010 at 2:08 pm (#)
Great tips, Chris. And, again, I am so sorry that you had this awful experience!
I was at a boston terrier meetup with my brother & his boston, & a fight broke out. The two owners knew to grab the back legs/hips of their dogs, and, just as you described, they were easily separated.
Heidi Alberti & Atticus´s last blog ..Meditative Mutt
July 16th, 2010 at 3:09 pm (#)
I can’t believe I didn’t know that trick. I’ve never had to do it before. Jeez
July 19th, 2010 at 6:06 am (#)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Michele Hollow and aaron007Rick, 1-800-Pet-Insurance. 1-800-Pet-Insurance said: RT @michelechollow: How to Break up a dog fight http://bit.ly/bCUCJ1 [...]
July 19th, 2010 at 9:30 am (#)
Wow, how scary. So interesting. Maybe something about Coco Bean’s pheromones did not agree with the labs. I am so happy both dogs are o.k. and so are you. I swear the best blogs come from our own experiences. Thank you for sharing, Chris.
Chrystal´s last blog ..Does this woman WANT to give and receive pleasure with me
July 19th, 2010 at 10:00 am (#)
Thanks for the tips. Our smallest dog Roxy (she is threatened by bigger aggressive dogs and goes for their throat!) thoroughly hates a certain other dog in the neighbourhood. They got into a fight one day and neither me nor the other dogs owner knew what to do and he actually kicked my little Roxy. I wasn’t too happy about that but luckily she was okay. Now I just turn around and walk in the opposite direction if I see this guy with his dogs. Good to know a good way to deal with it if it ever happens again.
Louise Edington´s last blog ..If you change the way you look at things- the things you look at change Wayne Dyer
July 19th, 2010 at 12:52 pm (#)
Great tips…knowledge is power! I hope I never have to use it but it is filed away under useful tips.
I’m going to be getting a puppy in the next few months and would love tips on the fast way to potty train them and how to get them to use just on part of the yard…with our last dog he just went where ever he wanted and it meant picking up poop from the whole yard.
Thanks.
Darcie Newton´s last blog ..Pay Yourself First
July 19th, 2010 at 1:53 pm (#)
So sorry to hear about what you had to go through with those two dogs, but happy that they and you all survived! Dog fights are really scary (actually, so are cat fights!). Thank you for sharing what you know and have learned about how to stop a bad fight. I don’t have dogs, but know a lot of people that do, and will share this with them, too.
July 19th, 2010 at 4:30 pm (#)
Yikes! What a scary situation – what made them finally stop? I’m glad to know what to do, but hope it never happens. I seem to have gotten a little scared of dogs as I’ve gotten older, not sure why…Where is your boarding located?
Brandy Mychals
Jewelry for Your Target Market
http://www.BrandyMychals.com
July 19th, 2010 at 5:30 pm (#)
Hi Brandy, I’m sorry to hear that you’re more afraid of dogs now. I think everyone should be cautious and respect a dogs nature. My sitters are in Folsom and El Dorado Hills, CA. We do the boarding out of our homes. Yes, we’re crazy!
July 20th, 2010 at 4:54 am (#)
deja vu… read and commented last week when you originally posted. great article, chris!
Heidi Alberti & Atticus´s last blog ..Atticus- Dogsitter Extraordinaire
July 20th, 2010 at 5:08 am (#)
Wow, I’m glad to hear Coca Bean is alright. I love the idea of grabbing the back legs and I can see how it would work.
Jean Bentley´s last blog ..Change and Changing Diapers!
July 20th, 2010 at 9:15 am (#)
A neighbor’s dog used to come after my dog every time we’d walk by the house. Others, including the owners, couldn’t believe it because the dog was “so nice to everyone.” Every time we’d walk by though, he would come out of nowhere and charge down at my dog.
I quickly grew tired of this so I tried my own version of Dog Whispering. The next time I saw him coming out to bear down on my dog–always leashed, by the way–I put my body in the center and used by eyes and posture to show him that I was unconditionally “top dog” and there was no second place. I’ve never seen a dog put on the breaks in mid-charge so fast. He actually made divots in the grass.
Never happened again.
Dave Saunders´s last blog ..One Tweet Does Not a Conversation Make
July 20th, 2010 at 9:49 am (#)
This is an extremely important article for me. I often am in situations where there are many dogs and the possibility of a fight is high. Thank you for sharing your research. I liked Dave’s approach also…. Hey, whatever works, right?
July 20th, 2010 at 2:15 pm (#)
really important information. luckily, my pup Skylar has never been the aggressor or recipient in a dog fight. in the dog park, she’s the one that follows her owner around, takes a nap in the sunshine, or goes to sniff pretty flowers in the distance, so she must not pose much of a threat to the other dogs.
nonetheless, this is important information so i know what to do if the situation ever arises. thank you!
amy donovan´s last blog ..the 4th of July – an au pair’s experience
July 20th, 2010 at 2:23 pm (#)
Excellent tip or anyone who has dogs or spends any time around them. Glad both of the combatants are OK. A serious dog fight is a frightening thing to observe and it can be pretty intimidating to wade in and grab one of them even by the hind legs, but it works.
Kerry Hargraves´s last blog ..There’s an App for That
July 20th, 2010 at 3:10 pm (#)
Thanks Donna and yes, a cat fight would be very scary for me. Cats and I don’t get along like I do with dogs.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:15 pm (#)
Hi Darcie, Congrats on getting a new puppy. How exciting and scary too. I’ve never had to potty train a dog as we got our when she was 9 months old. There are so many ways, but I would either google “how to potty train a dog” or talk to a trainer in your area. I’d like to do a post on it, but I’ve come to realize that it’s better if I talk about something I know and not just regurgitate what someone else says. There’s also a ton of books on the subject. Good luck and if you have any other questions, please let me know.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:17 pm (#)
I’m sorry to hear about the conflict between Roxy and the other dog, and you’re wise to just turn the other way. The smartest thing you can do is avoid a fight rather than trying to stop one. I hate when other people think it’s ok to kick another person’s dog! There are other ways to stop a fight.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:18 pm (#)
Hi Chrystal, yes, that’s what I think. There was just something about Cocoa Bean that that dog didn’t like. We’ll never know for sure and luckily her owners are very nice and understanding. Thanks
July 20th, 2010 at 3:19 pm (#)
Thanks for the RT’s!! I appreciate it.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm (#)
Hi Kerry, it’s better if you have two people, but pulling one of them is better than nothing, but sometimes they don’t let go and that’s what’s really scary.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:32 pm (#)
Hi Amy, I see a lot of dogs like that at the dog park. No, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Skylar’s giving off good vibes!
July 20th, 2010 at 3:33 pm (#)
Good for you Dave – it sounds like a scene from a movie! I’m sure that’s the last time that dog charged at your dog.
July 20th, 2010 at 3:34 pm (#)
Hi Carolyn, I like Dave solution too! Why are you in situations with many dogs? Do you go to the dog park alot?
July 20th, 2010 at 3:34 pm (#)
I hope you never need to use this trick Jean.
July 20th, 2010 at 10:29 pm (#)
Chris you bring up an excellent point. Being a dog owner of a dog that sometimes does not like other dogs, it is very important that we pay attention to her physical signs. I can imagine that being in a room with two dogs that suddenly go for each other is pretty frightening. My dog has on a rare occasion got into a fight outside and it has been a little traumatic. Thanks for the useful tips. It feels good to know that one has a solution, should something unexpected happen, other than screaming, which does not appear to solve the problem.
Jennifer Duchene´s last blog ..Simple Bedroom Update- one Day Makeover
July 21st, 2010 at 9:00 am (#)
Very nice article, thanks! I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed. Please keep up posting.
July 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pm (#)
Great tips. That is such a scary situation. I would not have thought to pull the hind legs. I hope I never have to break up a fight.
Julia M Lindsey´s last blog ..4 Great Reasons Why You Need an Editor
July 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm (#)
Thanks Blogs
July 21st, 2010 at 3:02 pm (#)
I should have known this trick Julia, but I never needed it before. Take care
July 21st, 2010 at 3:03 pm (#)
Jennifer, I had laryngitis for days after that from screaming!! The physical signs are very important and crucial to determining if a fight is going to break out. Take care
July 21st, 2010 at 8:35 pm (#)
Thanks for the post, since one never knows what life will bring, always good to be prepared with some knowledge on what to do in such a frightening situation.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:38 am (#)
This is excellent advice. I was never in this situation; close to it, though. SO this is very good to know. Great post!
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:49 pm (#)
Thanks Bruce. Glad to be of help.
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:50 pm (#)
Hi Kathy Alice, I hope you’re never in that situation. Take Care
July 29th, 2010 at 10:17 am (#)
Very educational. I don’t have pets but hope to remember these steps should I’m ever faced with this situations. Hopefully I’m not running for the hills.
Lisa Ann Landry – Corporate Trainer – Unleashing the Genie!