| <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: | | | | should not result in a dog fight. If on the other hand |
| 0.21cm } --> | | | | you are genuinely weary about the approaching dog, |
| Being a witness to a dog fight between two strange | | | | then don't over react, distract your dog and walk in |
| dogs is enough to shock most of us, however, when | | | | another direction, away from the approaching dog. |
| a fight involves our own pet it can be a deeply | | | | Don't stop and wait until the dog approaches and, |
| traumatic experience. | | | | begin reeling your dog in, as this along with your |
| This article is aimed at giving both practical | | | | uneasy manner could signal to your dog that there is |
| information and sensible advice in order to help you | | | | a need to become aggressive and engage in a dog |
| limit the possibility of your dog being involved in a | | | | fight. |
| serious dog fight. You will learn why dogs fight, the | | | | Finally, let us look at the sensible steps you can take |
| ways in which you can prepare and train your dog, | | | | when two dogs are fighting, and more importantly, |
| making it less likely that he will fight and, also how to | | | | keep yourself safe in the process. |
| deal safely and calmly when faced with breaking up | | | | The first and most important thing to consider here, |
| two dogs fighting. | | | | is that dogs don't routinely savage each other. In fact |
| If you take a look at the animal world you will quickly | | | | when you find two dogs fighting, the fight usually |
| learn that aggression is natural behaviour used to | | | | lasts a few seconds, with a lot of growling and |
| obtain order and balance within a given society. Our | | | | frothing from the mouth, whereupon both dogs |
| domestic canine has inherited this characteristic as | | | | separate, with one the victor and the other the |
| part of it's genetic blue print, we can observe this | | | | vanquished. If two dogs are about to engage in a |
| hard wired behaviour even in very young puppies. | | | | fight, then you may see some of the following signs: |
| Dogs fight for a multitude of reasons, however, | | | | Both dogs will move slowly around each other, with |
| during the normal course of events this type of | | | | tails and ears held high. |
| behaviour is usually the outcome of determining pack | | | | Fixed eye contact can be observed. |
| structure between dogs or in the possession and | | | | One dog may attempt to mount the other. |
| protection of resources, such as food. Outside of this | | | | Any of the above behaviours can be accompanied |
| arena, a dog may initiate a fight or may be the | | | | by one or both dogs growling. |
| recipient of an attack by another dog for a whole | | | | Usually, in this case one dog will back down and show |
| host of other reasons, that may include some of the | | | | submission to the more dominant dog. However, if |
| following: | | | | neither dog is willing to give way the, the meeting |
| One or both of the dogs may simply just not get | | | | may culminate in the two dogs fighting. |
| along. | | | | In this case you will need to react calmly but |
| A young or socially inexperienced dog may misread | | | | decisively. Remember, dogs are designed to sort out |
| the signals of an aggressive dog. | | | | their own disputes, so wait a few seconds to see if |
| The owner may inadvertently cause the dog to | | | | they stop. If it looks like they are prepared to |
| behave aggressively towards other dogs. | | | | continue, then the best course of action to pursue is |
| The dog may be nervous or anxious around other | | | | to enlist the help of the other dogs owner if he or |
| dogs, causing him to attack defensively. | | | | she is present, if not ask for the help of a passer by. |
| The dog may have had the experience of being | | | | Calmly put your dogs lead around your dogs back |
| attacked by another dog in the past, causing him to | | | | legs and pull the lead up towards it's groin and, pick |
| behave defensively each time he is in the presence | | | | the dog up. In this way the leash acts like a sling. |
| of other dogs. | | | | Only your dogs front paws will remain on the ground, |
| The dog may be poorly socialised. | | | | so it will be difficult for him to mobilise himself in |
| Before we look at how to go about stopping a dog | | | | order to continue fighting. At this point, try to keep |
| who has got into a fight, it is much better never | | | | your distance from your dog, in case he attempts to |
| having to put your dog into a situation where he | | | | attack you and, pull at a right angle, so as he is no |
| feels he needs to attack another dog, or | | | | longer facing his opponent. When your dog is a little |
| alternatively, feel he needs to defend himself. | | | | calmer, put the lead on him and leave the scene |
| Remember the potential for your pet to become | | | | immediately. |
| involved in a dog fight will depend much upon his level | | | | It is often advise that you should take hold of your |
| of socialisation, his experience of obedience training | | | | dogs back legs in order to break up two dogs |
| and, of course his innate behavioural characteristics. | | | | fighting; this option is not without it's dangers, in that |
| The first thing you should consider, especially if you | | | | you are not only closer to your dog, but in between |
| own a puppy is that the potential to fight is hard | | | | the time it would take to get hold of your dog and |
| wired into your dogs brain. Don't dismiss the possibility | | | | lift his back legs off the floor, he could have quickly |
| of your dog fighting, simply because he is young, | | | | turned and bitten you. |
| playful and has an extreme easy going personality. | | | | There are many people who have been severely |
| Think ahead. | | | | bitten or have even died as a result of attempting to |
| Socialise your puppy well. Introduce him to other | | | | separate two dogs from fighting, especially when the |
| friendly dogs as early as possible. When he is fully | | | | fight has been particularly serious. In order to keep |
| inoculated he can begin properly socialising with other | | | | yourself safe, please follow this advice: |
| dogs and learning his canine social graces early. This is | | | | NEVER put your hand near the head of a fighting |
| especially important with breeds such as Pitfalls, Bull | | | | dog |
| Terriers and, breeds such as The Rottweiler, who | | | | NEVER under estimate the real possibility of being |
| have the potential to behave dominantly if not | | | | bitten by your own dog, if he becomes embroiled in |
| handled correctly. | | | | a fight. |
| Along with establishing the correct hierarchy, in that | | | | Remember, during a fight your dog is in his world, a |
| you are the 'pack leader', teach your puppy to inhibit | | | | world where force and aggression is used to settle |
| his bite early. Another extremely important exercise | | | | disputes. Your dog may be loyal and loving normally, |
| you can teach your dog, that will help to reduce the | | | | but once embroiled in a dog fight, may take a snap |
| likely hood of a dog fight is the 'easy' or 'slowly' | | | | at you when you least expect it. |
| exercise. This will help your dog approach other dogs | | | | NEVER try to stop two dogs fighting by yourself, |
| in a calm and friendly manner. | | | | even smaller dogs can inflict nasty wounds. |
| Teach your dog object exchanges often. You can do | | | | DON'T shout, scream or hit two fighting dogs, |
| this by giving him a toy to play with, then calling him | | | | especially if they are involved in a serious fight, as |
| to you and asking him to 'leave' or 'give', when he | | | | this could cause the fight to escalate. |
| gives you his toy, give him another toy in exchange | | | | DO always have your dogs lead at hand in case you |
| right away. Doing this exercise often will teach your | | | | need to use it as a safe method of parting him from |
| dog not to become possessive over any resources | | | | another dog during a fight. |
| that he has. | | | | It is quite natural for dogs to fight and, most of us |
| Finally, when walking your dog, you will obviously | | | | who own a dog will have first hand experience of |
| meet many strange dogs along the way. If a strange | | | | this during our dogs life. However, if you follow the |
| dog decides to approach, try not to pull your dogs | | | | advice I have laid out above, you will not only greatly |
| lead tight. Watch your own body language; try to | | | | limit the possibility of your dog becoming involved in a |
| remain calm and confident. Use your 'easy' or 'nice' | | | | serious fight, but if he does, you will be able to safely |
| command, and any interaction between the two | | | | and confidently deal with stopping it quickly. |