Dealing with a Dog Fight: What to Do & How to Prevent
Understanding Dog Fights: Key Things You Need to Know
1. It's best to intervene before the dogs cause each other harm, but this can be quite dangerous for the owner.
2. The most common and effective approach isn't to pull the dogs apart roughly; instead, distract them.
3. Training your puppy to reduce aggressive behavior is ideal, as it's easier to correct during their younger years.
What to Do When Dogs Are Fighting?
Intervening with Skill
1. According to renowned animal behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin, the safest way to pull two animals apart is to grip their rumps or hind legs and pull them back quickly.
2. If you have a leash handy, you can loop it around their two back legs and pull them back as well.
3. If the dogs move too fast for you to grab, you can also try to push them away by placing your foot against their ribs and pushing.
Important Note: This is not about kicking the dogs; rather, using your foot as a pivot to push them off. This method is much safer than reaching in with your hands and leaves you with free hands to control them at all times.
Distracting the Dogs
1. Insert a board or another object between them.
2. Make loud noises like clapping or blowing a whistle.
3. Cover one or both dogs with a blanket.
4. Gently tap the dogs' heads with a newspaper or magazine.
PostFight Care for Dogs
1. Remove the dogs from the scene and carefully inspect any injuries.
2. For longhaired dogs, wounds can be hard to spot, so keep a close eye on their condition.
3. If a small dog is picked up and carried by a larger dog, it's crucial to take the dog to a vet immediately to prevent internal injuries or death due to internal bleeding.
Important Considerations When Trying to Stop a Dog Fight:
1. Avoid shouting loudly and pulling on the leash when you see two dogs fighting. This can escalate their aggression and put you at greater risk of injury.
2. Always prioritize your safety when rescuing a dog under attack. It's extremely dangerous to intervene when dogs are in a heated battle, and you risk serious harm.
