How to Prevent a Dog Fight

A dog fight, especially between two large dogs, can be difficult to stop without injury to either you or your dog. For this reason, the best solution is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Fortunately, there are some simple precautions you can take to avoid the development of a dog fight.

Here are some tips for preventing dog fights.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make Sure Your Dog Has a Sturdy, Secure Collar Attached to His Neck at All Times.
   
   If your dog should show signs of aggressive behavior, a sturdy collar makes it easier for you to pull him away from an impending dog fight.

2. Carry a Noise Maker With You.
   
   You can purchase an air horn to carry with you when you take your dog to dog parks or other places where he could potentially come in contact with aggressive dogs. The air horn emits a loud noise which can distract two dogs engaged in a fight and allow you to separate them.

3. Praise Your Dog for Good Social Interactions.
   
   When your dog interacts with another dog without showing signs of aggressive behavior, give him praise. Positive reinforcement can be very beneficial in preventing dog fights by reinforcing good behavior.

4. Feed Your Dogs in Separate Areas.
   
   If you have two dogs at home, separate their food bowls to reduce the risk of aggression at meal time. Even dogs that get along well the majority of the time can become aggressive when food is involved.

5. Honor the Pack Hierarchy.
   
   Make sure it's established that you're the alpha leader. If you have two dogs and one establishes dominance over the other, honor that dominance by feeding and giving treats to the dog higher in the hierarchy first. Dogs are most comfortable when there's an established order and are less likely to be aggressive if they know where they exist in the pack. Don't allow a dog lower in the pack hierarchy to challenge a higher one.

6. Learn to Recognize the Signs of an Impending Conflict.
   
   A dog who is about to become aggressive often exhibits certain signs. These signs may include: a fixed, hard stare; a stiff tail; growling; or mounting behavior. Learn to recognize these signs and break the dog's will to fight before a skirmish breaks out. You can do this by spraying water on your dog or use a citronella based spray. A loud noise may also break your dog's concentration, effectively preventing a dog fight.