Breaking Up Dog Fights - rev 1/4/98

The information contained herein was collected by: Ron Drozdick and shared here with his permission. Thank you Ron!

The material below is based on a December, 1997 thread from the Showdogs-L newsgroup compiled at the 'groups' suggestion. It contains opinions and suggestions that may be helpful in stopping or preventing dog fights. No guarantees. One thing that came out during the discussions was that not all dog fights are the same and what works in one case may not work in another. This is very important THE ADVICE GIVEN BELOW WILL NOT WORK IN ALL CASES.

Please remember, that the material included here consists of experiences that either worked or failed to work in specific cases. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY IMPLIED HEREIN. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. There is no intent to defame any particular breed. Information involves dog owners and their experience with their own breeds for the most part. Mention of specific breeds in no way implies the methods used will work without question for that breed, or that the temperament exhibited is typical.

A piece of generally accepted advice, DO NOT reach between two fighting dogs or grab them by the collar. The dogs tend to get carried away and is a good way to get bitten. Even dogs that are not in the least 'people aggressive' may bite if you try to separate them. Advice to parents, tell your kids NOT to try to break up a dog fight on their own. And muzzles are no guarantee.

Table of Contents.

DOG FIGHT FLAVORS:

Dog fights come in several flavors. At a minimum these include:

  • Dominance fights where the object is to show who's boss, not to kill or even hurt
  • Cold, calculated fights to the death
  • Frenzied fights
  • And anything in between.

DOG BREEDS / SEXES & FIGHTING:

The breed of dog is no guarantee. Fights seem to occur in all breeds, some more than others. Most fights are between same sex dogs, but not all. Even the dog you think least likely to start a fight may do so if in distress. Breeds that tend to be dog aggressive may fight in a more serious fashion, dogs bred to function in a pack may be more prone to 'dominance' squabbles. Some dogs will be fine with most dogs, but hate one. Some dogs / breeds hold grudges.

PREVENTING & PREPARING FOR FIGHTS:

If you know a fight is likely, separate the dogs. This could be as simple as putting up baby gates, or require use of crates and locked doors The THREAT of using some method that successfully breaks up fights for you can prevent fights. Muzzling the aggressor after a fight will sometimes prevent future fights if the muzzle is kept handy. (Don't depend on muzzles)

PREPARING FOR A FIGHT: Have a plan. Have suitable stuff in easy reach, plan on how to isolate the dogs immediately.

BREAKING UP FIGHTS--DISTRACTIONS: PHYSICAL

  • Grab whatever material you can and cover/wrap around the heads of the dogs.
  • If you are caught alone in a fight, pick up a kitchen chair and hold it at arm's length out away from your body and run it between the dogs, yelling and *cursing* at the top of your lungs!
  • Fly swatters as noise makers. (Keep in convenient places)
  • Wiffle bats as noise makers. (Keep in convenient places)
  • Hit over head with hard object. (Use with caution, can kill if over done, or if breed not hard headed)
  • A rolled up newspaper and loud screaming has worked..
  • Large amounts of water, sometimes a large stick ( a good whack on the butt) and a crate nearby.
  • A shock stick or cattle prod.
  • Garden hose (possibly toward mouth with pressure.)

BREAKING UP FIGHTS--DISTRACTIONS: CHEMICAL

  • Vinegar (50/50 with water) - squirt bottle
  • I hear, but don't know personally, that smelling salts (Ammonia?) are excellent. [don't like this, as you would have to get in close.]
  • Household ammonia, diluted 50/50 with water, poured on a large towel & thrown over the fighting dog's heads will usually cause them to break grip in order to breathe ( Do not use as a spray, ammonia can cause irreparable eye damage!!!)
  • Pepper mace (after first use, any spray can may do as a threat.)
  • Pepper spray followed by water spray from hose if the spray alone doesn't work.

BREAKING UP FIGHTS--SEPARATING

  • Don't use your hands to drag the dog by the rear leg. Get some sturdy leashes, bring the lead around the leg and up over the hock and make a secure loop by bringing the snap end through the loop end and tie the first dog to a fence or door knob. Then work on dog #2.
  • Grab the closest dog by the rear legs or tail, and drag them to the closest gate or door. Then slam the door on the dogs heads until they break to get a better grip, you slam the door shut.
  • (Pembroke Corgis) grab the back legs of the closest dog -- and pull him or her out of the fracas. pick up one dog off the ground, put her/him behind a baby gate
  • Slam a plastic tote bin upside down over one of the dogs.
  • (Cardigan Corgis) Grab tail or rear legs, back into bathroom and drop dog in tub.

CREDITS

Thanks to the people below for their informative posts and giving permission to use their input in developing this page::::::

Dee Dee Anderson Lynda Rocksvold Kim Bowden Pat Malan
Karen Harbert Cathy Clapp Sherry Wallis Steve Rodgers
Peggy Mickelson Steve Lawrence Carol James Duane Forbes
Susan Saulvester Sharyn Layson Renee Pat Lupori
Amy Gau