We’ve written this article to answer the many questions and comments we receive each year about dog fights. A dog fight is a common occurrence. However, people aren’t always aware of how to in a safe manner to break them up and what they should do following the fight.
This article will discuss these issues and provide advice for preventing dogs from getting into fights. We’ll examine the root of the issue, including how to handle the possibility of a dog fight when it occurs and what you can do to ensure that all the parties affected are adequately treated.
Dissolving an argument between dogs is hazardous, and sometimes, you don’t have any other options. There’s no dogfight squad you can contact to end the battle in front of you.
We’ll consider your options if an argument does occur.
Why Dog Fights Happen (and How to Prevent Them)
Various triggers could cause an argument between dogs; understanding the different types and warning signs is essential to ensure successful outcomes.
The best method to end the dog fight is to keep it from getting started. We’ll discuss the warning signs for every type of fight here.
Reason #1: Predatory Drift
In a fight triggered by prey aggression, one dog will attack another as if the other dog were prey, and it’s not a battle in the slightest.
This is especially common in breeds that were designed to kill things (like the terriers) or breeds that have much more “primitive” (like huskies).
We’ve bred them to emphasize specific predatory sequences in breeds like border collies and labradors. Border collies and labs could each be quite bad at their job when they complete the predatory sequence.
Predatory Sequence: Eye -> Orient -> Stalk -> Chase -> Bite -> Grab / Bite -> Kill / Bite -> Dissect -> Consume
Retrievers are stopped at the grab/bite stage, and shepherds end at the stage of chasing. The shepherd doesn’t want his dog to take his sheep away! Find out more about predation among dog breeds in this piece from Positively.
A significant warning sign of aggressive behaviour is a dog that follows other dogs. Although it’s not uncommon in certain breeds of herding, it’s a warning sign. A dog that is stalking can lower their head or then crouch when it looks at or walks toward a “prey item.”
Your dog is at greater risk of being a victim of predatory aggression when they are small. This is the reason I cringe every time I see tiny dogs in the park for dogs. With the stimulation of playing and running around, it’s easy for a dog to fall into a predatory trance. It’s where tragedy can happen.
Cesar’s tips on how to end the dog fight
Here’s the information you should remember. You can end a dog fight by knowing how your body communicates. This is how I deal with cases of aggression to stop the dog’s bad behaviour when you sense it’s getting ready to get out of control.
If that’s not feasible when a dog fight occurs, If one starts happening, be at peace and pay attention to which dog is on the upper degree of intensity. That’s the dog I’m likely to be focusing on. It is time to make sure you give the dog the appropriate contact – the ribcage region. This makes the dog expand his mouth and release his grip on the other dog during an argument. It’s also about timing, looking for the perfect moment to intervene and react quickly.
WHY DOG FIGHTS HAPPEN
Dog fights occur due to a variety of causes. We’ll be covering a few reasons; we’re often unaware of precisely what causes a dog fight. It’s sometimes difficult to comprehend completely.
Some dogs aren’t a good match.
Here are a few principal reasons for dog fights to occur.
RESOURCE GUARDING & TERRITORY GUARDING
The dogs are territorial animals. They respond appropriately when they sense that something they consider essential is under threat.
Dogs can “guard” many different things. Here are some things dogs protect that could turn into battles with other dogs.
Bones/chews
Treats and any other food
Toys
Territorium (i.e. your home)
Other dogs that live in your house (i.e., the dog that defends you against an unrelated dog)
Their people
It’s not a complete list, but you’ll get the idea.
If your dog is concerned that they are infringing upon their space or attempting to steal their beloved toy, it could cause fighting.
Do the Best You Can With What You Have
In the end, the dog you have adopted is developing as an individual, just like you are. Don’t allow a negative incident to stop you from introducing your dog to the world shortly. They’re capable of growing and learning like everyone else.
Be sure to view every time as an opportunity to learn a chance by bringing an appropriate leash, assistance equipment, and trained commands to prepare your dog for success and prevent an argument before it gets started.
To find out more about the dog’s body language and to be able to determine whether an interaction can escalate into a fight between two dogs, take a look at our guide written by the dog’s trainer Sassafras Lowrey.
Dog Fight Basics
Dogs fight for many reasons, such as resource guarding, stress, fear, and even for security. Stay at peace if you’re in an environment where you have to end the dog fight. Try to distract your dogs first. If this fails, attempt to disperse them using an object of significant size.
Do not physically intervene only as a last resort. Try the wheelbarrow technique if else is doing similar to the other dog. If you’re by yourself, determine the person who is the aggressor and work on getting them out of their grip with breadsticks or another object. But only if you feel confident and comfortable in doing this.
For helpful advice for taking care of your dog pet, go to our blog. There’s a wealth of information that will be useful in a variety of circumstances.
What do you use to stop the dog fight?
How you stop a dog fight will depend on how well prepared you are and the type of environment you’re in when you must end the dog fight. If you suspect your dog(s) are inclined to engage in dog fights or encounter off-leash dogs, you must create your dog fight kit. Kits for fighting dogs are essential for safety in multi-dog households, regardless of whether you’ve had an altercation or not.
It is generally accepted that a dogfight kit should consist of different items (see the following list) to increase the likelihood that something included in the kit can be used.
Below is the list of things you can use to break up fighting between dogs and brief guidelines for their usage. These products usually aim to get dogs away from fighting or act as an obstacle between the dogs.
There are various methods to stop an argument without being involved in the fight, including using Squirt bottles or sending the squirt out of the water from the nearby hose on the dogs. It is possible to beat coins in cans to calm dog fighting. But these strategies only work in the first phase when the battle is just beginning. Human intervention is inevitable when fighting an intense battle where verbal cues do not do anything.
Remember to know your dog.
Like human beings, body language plays a significant role in communicating with canines. Begin to be conscious of your dog’s body language to ensure you can tell when your dog is not comfortable with other dogs and is more likely to behave with aggression. Examples include: a stiff body, raised hackles or wagging tails that are stiff and direct eye contact. dilation of pupils, turning the head away, and lip kissing. If you observe changes in the dog’s body language or behaviour, you should take the time to eliminate your dog from the environment and the surroundings and avoid a confrontation.
If your dog is prone to aggression, is too excited during play, or is worried about other dogs, you might consider the Halti neck collar. A head collar can allow you to turn your dog’s eyes as soon as they begin to show aggression or display indications of stress.
The Risks for Redirected Aggression
Think about this scenario, which is commonplace in homes with several dogs. A dog walks by an enclosure, while on the opposite side, a dog is barking at the dog. Then, another dog comes to the scene, and they are together, barking at the dog on the other end of the fence.
As the arousal levels rise in intensity in a matter of minutes, the dogs that were once barking are fighting violently. What’s happening?
The basic idea is that one or the dogs both were at an intense state of reactivity. In technical terms, it was “over the threshold.” The dogs were focused on the new animal passing by and were in a state of hyper-arousal by its presence that they vented their anger and frustration toward one another.