- A tip that many overlook when it comes to dog fights is to actually understand what is going on. Recognizing dog fights should be easy, but for some people, it is not. When dogs meet each other, regardless of their temperament or aggression, there is a process they must follow. All dogs will sniff each other. When dogs meet each other, most of the time, one dog will assume the dominant position, and one will be submissive. Do not mistake dogs finding their place as fighting. In a dog pack, a certain amount of pinning and growling must take place as dogs vie for position and reach a natural order. Some breeds of dogs, such as northern breeds, play very roughly and include growling in their play, which can be mistaken for fighting. Unless dogs are hurting one another, stopping dogs from finding a natural order is detrimental to the dog pack. You must understand the signs of a dog fight before dealing with it.
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Understand what makes a dog fight differently from dogs issuing dominance or even playing. When dogs are creating a hierarchy within their pack, the dominant dog will pin others to the ground. She might growl at them, bite their mouths shut with her teeth, and bark or yell at them if they are playing roughly. She will not grab them by the neck or shake them, however. Biting the neck, shaking of a ruff, or prolonging pinning with teeth bared are signs of a real dog fight.
When dogs are playing, they might pounce on each other, pin each other to the ground, or try to bite each other's faces or tails. Their tails will be raised and wagging during play. If dogs are pouncing on each other, pinning each other excessively, or biting necks or tails and holding on in order to draw blood, you might be looking at a dog fight.
Other signs of dog fights include tails between legs, one dog wetting itself, clamped jaws on the part of the aggressor dog, laid back ears, and bared teeth. Dogs will growl deep in their throats and may raise the hair on their necks and backs when preparing for or engaging in a real dog fight. -
Do not attempt to break up a dog fight with your bare hands. Do not attempt to pull dogs off one another. Often this will cause more damage, and ripping and pulling on the dog that is being attacked.
To break up a dog fight, you must get in between the dogs--but not with your body. Use a broom, a large piece of cardboard, a big stick, or a board to try to get in between their mouths, where the most damage can occur. Have at least two people breaking up the fight, if possible. As soon as there is a momentary break in connection, grab the dog that is the aggressor by the collar. If both dogs are aggressive, choose the one who seems the most likely to continue the attack. Move that dog away from the other dog. Continue to use the stick or board if you are on your own to separate the dogs. If someone else is there, have them grab the other dog and move her away from the fight.
As soon as possible, check each dog for injuries. After they are calm, pet them all over and check for bites and puncture wounds. Dogs that are bleeding profusely should be taken to the vet immediately. Dogs who have been bit in soft areas like their stomachs should be taken to the vet for observation. Any dog with a bite or puncture wound should visit the vet to get antibiotics. If your dog was in a fight with another dog, do not let the dog out of your sight until you have received proof from the dog's owners that the dog was up to date on all shots, including rabies.
