Many of us have had the unfortunate and frightening experience of
witnessing a dog fight, sometimes with our own dog involved. It's hard
to know what to do in this situation when your adrenaline is pumping
and things are happening so quickly. Naturally, it's better to prevent
a dog fight from occurring if you can, but sometimes they happen.
Here are a few tips on
how to break up a dog fight
- preferably without getting hurt yourself.
Some dog fights sound a lot worse then they are, and are over with very quickly. It is ALWAYS dangerous to intervene in a dog fight, and no matter how careful or prepared you may think you are, there is always the potential of getting hurt.
Remember that there's no single, tried-and-true method for breaking up a fight. Use what works, and be prepared with an alternative just in case the thing you try first doesn't work.
Having a second person to help will make things much easier. Call for help.
This includes your hand, an arm or leg, and don't try to grab their collars and pull them apart. Dogs who are caught up in a fight will automatically bite whatever's in their way.
Try not to scream, as this may excite the dogs even further. Instead, bang together two metal pots or garbage can lids or whatever loud, noisy object that may distract the dogs. If you have an air horn, use it. Sometimes an ultrasonic dog deterrent can also startle dogs enough to break up a fight.
If you have ready access to a hose, spray cold water directly into the dogs' faces. Do not stop spraying until both dogs have backed off, and keep the spray between the dogs until the situation can be controlled.
If a hose isn't available, you can try using bottles or pails of water instead.
This may disorient them and stop the fight.
For example, use a big piece of plywood or a large chair. Do not step in between the dogs yourself!
If there's someone to help you, each of you can grab one dog by the hind legs and raise them off the ground, like a wheelbarrow. Back up slowly while turning in a circle. This will prevent the dog from whipping around and biting you, as he needs to concentrate on moving his paws so that he doesn't fall. Gradually pull him into a confined area where he will not be able to get to the other dog again. Don't let him go too soon - wait until he appears calm - or he may try to attack the other dog again, or may try to bite you. Both dogs must be confined before their legs are released, or you just might end up having the fight start all over again.
If you're by yourself, grab the hind legs of the attacking dog first and get him confined. Then go back for the other dog.
Since most of us wouldn't have access to water, plywood, air horns, blankets, etc... while we're out and about with our dogs, this 'wheelbarrow' method may end up being the one used.
A dog fight is a terribly stressful situation, but it's important to remain calm and focused. By keeping your composure you'll be able to minimize the risk to yourself and everyone involved (including the dogs). If you or anyone else is injured, go to the doctor to get it checked out even if you think it's minor. Likewise, if either of the dogs are injured they should be taken to the vet for an assessment and treatment, even if the dog isn't showing any obvious signs of pain. Intervening in any dog fight is always risky with a chance of injury, so don't take it lightly.
Comments (1)
thank you so much for this information , my dog was attacked by a pit bull, and ended up with a lump the size of a lemon on his throat! the owner of the pitt never said anything about her dog having agression issues....one and a half weeks later , i find out that my dog is not the first one that the pitt has attacked!....i am scared to take my dog for a walk , this pitt lives 3 houses away , has a fenced in yard , and has been chained (in the fence) every time i saw him....he went under the fence , and broke free from his chain to "kill" my lab, i don't know who pulled the other dog away , but it was just in the nick of time , because all i could think of was to cover my dog with my body...hitting the other dog did NOT work! little kids live at that house, they could be next, how could anyone own an agressive dog?????