If you've ever witnessed a fight between two dogs, you know how scary it can be. Dogs they can cause serious damage to each other and even death during a fight.
Be very careful trying to separate two fighting dogsIf you do it the wrong way, it could land you straight to the hospital.
What should you do when two dogs face each other?
Next, we will show you some suggestions on what to do when two dogs face each other in a fight.
- First of all, NEVER get physically in the middle of two fighting dogs. If you put your hand or any other part of the body near these dogs, you will be injured. This includes trying to grab their necklaces.
- At the moment of the fight, your dog does not see who is intervening, not even if it is his owner. It will bite anyone.
- There are ways to try to break up a dog fight, but make sure you stay as calm as possible.
- These are:
- Avoid yelling.
- Keep away from the area, crowds and children.
- The best thing is that they have two people involved in splitting the fight, preferably their owners.
- Observe which of the two dogs is at a higher level of aggressiveness, that's the dog you have to focus on.
Ways to separate dogs
Water
Spray cold water with a hose on the dog's head, especially on the eyes and nose of the more aggressive dog. Using a bucket or bottle of water will not be as effective, however, and if you don't have anything better on hand, you can give it a try.
Sounds
The sound of an air horn or loud, high-pitched alarm may be jarring enough to send dogs flying, but it is less likely to work in intense fights. Yelling at the dogs is not going to work and usually has the opposite effect, intensifying the fight.
Barriers with objects
Throw a large blanket or tarp over both dogs. Some stop fighting when they can no longer be seen.
Also try placing objects like a garbage can, or chairs on top of the dogs. Another method is take a long enough automatic umbrella and open it between the two dogs.
Separate them physically
The two owners should approach the dogs and try to separate them at the same time, holding each dog's hind legs from the top, just below the hips.
Avoid grabbing the bottom of the legs. Grabbing a dog's paws by the knees or ankles can cause serious injury.
Pick him up like a wheelbarrow by lifting his legs off the ground, then move back and once away from the other dog, turn him in the opposite direction, so he can't see his opponent. Tie up your dog and keep him out of the other's sight.
Your dog should be examined by a veterinarianAs the damage from dog bites is not always noticeable to the untrained eye.
Why do dogs fight?
Dogs can fight for a number of reasons, even those who live together or are related. Some triggers are easily identified and they can be avoided.
- Multiple dogs of the same sex living in the same home may be at higher risk of fighting. This is due to a constant desire to keep a hierarchy.
- The risk of fighting is increased in dogs that they are not spayed or neutered.
- Food or toys. Many dogs are possessive and aggressive with their belongings. Never feed two dogs next to each other, when one dog finishes his meal, he may decide to eat the other's food.
- Hay prone environments to provoke fights such as dog parks, boarding indoors or entering another dog's house, since normally the dog that resides in that home may feel threatened.