How To Properly Stop A Dog Fight

When we see two animals arguing, we get desperate and want to separate them somehow. However, this can have negative consequences for both them and us. So,  in this article we explain how to properly stop a dog fight.

Tips for stopping a dog fight

First of all, it would be good to know how to avoid a dog fight. We have to observe the interaction of animals with each other, if they get more and more nervous, if they growl or show their teeth or if, instead of playing, they attach themselves directly to the neck. In these cases it is essential to put the leash on our dog, to remove it quickly.

Many times the games go from being quiet to being violent, other times two males clash trying to prove their leadership. There are also fights over food, for a female or for puppies. We want to separate them at any cost, but sometimes we end up getting hurt. Pay attention to the following recommendations for stopping a dog fight:

1. Calm down

This is essential, because nervousness does not allow you to think or act well in the face of a dog fight. Most fights between two dogs last only a few seconds. So, resist the temptation to pull them off by the collar. Instinctively, the animal may turn around and bite you. It is therefore best to breathe deeply and count to 10 before intervening.

2. Make noise

A good technique for separating two dogs that are fighting is to scare them. So they will pay attention to another thing and stop biting or growling. You can shout, clap, stamp your feet or hit two cans against each other.

3. Wet them

Water catches dogs’ attention, and moreover, many of them don’t really like being wet. You can use a pump, a glass, a bottle or whatever you have on hand (if you go to the park, for example, always carry a bottle of water with you, especially if your dog tends to fight). A “bath” will not hurt him and will prevent the two from continuing to fight.

4. Put up a barrier

Look around for something that can help you separate them, such as a piece of wood, a large piece of cardboard, a long stick, or the lid of a garbage can. Anything that serves as a shield for your arm (so they won’t bite you) and can separate the dogs at the same time.

5. Throw him a blanket

If one of the dogs cannot see his opponent, he will stop fighting. Furthermore, the other will avoid the attack because he will not understand what is happening. You can use a blanket, jacket, or any garment that is made of opaque material. The dog that will be covered will use its energy to get rid of what is imprisoning it, while the other dog can be picked up by its owner or distracted to be led elsewhere.

6. Pull his tail

Be very careful with this action because maybe, instinctively, the animal will try to bite you. The good thing is that it is an effective technique for stopping a fight. Pull the tail strongly back and up but not too much, to avoid hurting him. Remember that there are bones and nerves connected to the spinal cord in the tail.

7. Use your legs

It is not necessary to hit the dog hard to separate him from the other during a fight, but it can be useful to move him with some energy to stop the fight. This technique is only recommended if the person is wearing heavy trousers and footwear (because the leg would probably become the target of some biting attempt).

8. Last resort: use your arms

If none of the above works or you do not have any objects on hand that can be used to separate the dogs, then use your arms. Lift the animal’s hind legs like a wheelbarrow and pull it away as quickly as possible.

Once you have managed to separate the dogs, you will need to keep them at some distance for some time. This will prevent them from colliding again.