How to Break Up Two Pit Bulls Fighting

A dog injured during a dogfight.

Pit bulls can be loving, protective animal companions. While there is no evidence that pit bulls are any more aggressive than other animals, pit bulls are strong, which makes them capable of doing damage when they get involved in a dogfight. When pit bulls engage in a dogfight, it can be difficult to separate them, but a little bit of knowledge and a few custom tools can help end the aggression.

Things You'll Need

• Break stick
• Dog leash
• Bucket of water
• Water hose

Instructions

1. Shout "no" in a loud, firm voice. If you have a partner, each person should grip a dog by the collar and pull them apart. Use your knees to grip the dog's hind end. According to Pit Bull Rescue Central, most dogfights can be stopped by simply pulling the animals away from one another, and it's important to immobilize the dog's hind end.

2. Put a break stick in the dog's mouth. A break stick is a tool developed specifically for the pit bull breed and can be used to release a dog's grip on another animal. Place the narrow end of the break stick in the dog's mouth behind its molars and twist the stick. The twisting action pries the dog's mouth open and causes the dog to bite onto the stick and release the other dog.

3. 

   A water hose can sometimes be used to stop a dog fight.

   Spray or douse the dogs with water. A strong water hose or bucket of water can shock the dogs into releasing a strong grip during a fight.

4. Tie one dog to a stable object. Secure a leash to one dog's neck and the dog to a secure object like a tree or stable post. Pull the untethered dog free of the leashed animal.

Tips & Warnings

• Break sticks can be made from old wooden hammer handles. Simply cut off the hammer head from the handle and whittle one end until it is flat and thin, forming a wedge shape. This end is inserted in a gap at the back of a dog's clenched teeth.

• Get your dog neutered. Dogfights are often a result of territorial or protective behavior. Your dog may think he's an alpha dog, establishing his dominance over another animal. According to the Humane Society of the United States, dogs who have not been neutered are more likely to display territorial, dominant, protective or aggressive behavior.

• Take your dog to obedience training so that he is more likely to stop attacking another dog on your command.

• Never get between the two dogs involved in the fight.

• Don't try to pry the dog's mouth free with your bare hands.

• Get both animals medical treatment immediately after the fight has been stopped.

• Do not use break sticks on breeds other than pit bulls.

References

• ASPCA: Low Cost Spay/Neuter Programs
• Humane Society of the United States: Dog Aggression
• Pit Bull Rescue Central: Breaking Up A Fight