How to handle a dog fight

The last dog fight I was forced to handle went like this - I was walking a large boxer/mastiff mix named Sugar.  She was paying no attention to other dogs and I was very pleased (some dogs at the shelter are so bad around other dogs).  We were at the end of our walk, going back to the building when an SUV pulled up by the Admitting door (where people drop off animals).  I heard this lady open the back door, then she yelled "NO!" and before I could react, a big dog pushed her out of the way, jumped out of her car and latched onto Sugar's neck.  The dog she had did have a leash, but stupid her did not think to grab hold of the leash before opening the door of the SUV.  I still had hold of Sugar's leash and was dancing around the fight so I could keep hold without pulling Sugar away.  If I tried to pull her off, then the other dog kept biting.  Since I had no way to stop him, I let her have enough leash to bite back b/c she was not picking the fight, it was all him.  The lady started to reach in for her dog's collar and before I could tell her to stop, he snapped at her wrist.  I didn't scream or yell, I was trying to keep hold of Sugar's leash and grab the other dog's leash from enough distance so I wouldn't get bit.  The lady just stood there like she was going to cry and wasn't helping at all so finally I yelled at her to either get the hose or get someone else to get the hose!  Duh!!  Finally, some shelter staff came out and quickly got the other dog's leash and pulled him off.  Luckily, Sugar's only injuries were some minor punctures on her lips.

Anyway, based on my experience, I think I was right to not panic, not scream, not reach in for a dog's collar, keep hold of the leash I had without trying to direct the fight, and try to get the other dog's leash from a safe distance.  What I did wrong was I should've told the lady immediately to get the hose on, but I was so focused on what I was doing and keeping myself out of the fight that it took a while for it to register that she wasn't helping and was just standing there.

Just make sure that you have control of your dog at all times.  In my case, I had Sugar's leash the entire time and even though I couldn't stop the fight right away, I was not at fault b/c I never let go of her, just gave her enough slack to defend herself b/c she was trying to get away from the other dog.  If a fight starts, I wouldn't try any Direct Stop or pepper spray.  Those are meant to deter aggressive dogs, not actually break up fights.  If two dogs are fighting so aggressively that they are intending to harm each other, your best bets are being able to pull them off by their leads (WITHOUT reaching into the fight to grab them) or a powerful stream of water.

Marvin and Mosley (new foster) really went at each other last night.  They were lose in the yard and they did have what I consider a valid reason for fighting, a female.  I grabbed a broom and put that broom in between them while saying "what do you think you guys are doing?".  They broke up, sat side by side at my feet while I lectured and shook my finger. 
 
I have never been to a dog park and never will unless I know each and every dog there.  Don't put yourself between the dogs or grab one.  Get something, a lawnchair, a hose, anything.  If I have my boots on, I have no problem sticking my leg in between but it would probably be wise to use the boot as a separator or smack the ground close to them.  A startling noise sometimes does it.

Anyway...my dad and I (I want to have him there since I will have both, to make it easier to keep track of the dogs) are bringing the dogs to a dog park tonight.

 
Well, it's just me and since my dogs have issues with each other, I avoid dog parks.  Many dogs do fine at them though and hopefully yours will too.  I think Liesje's suggestion about keeping control of them with their leads is normally the best advice, but probably not at a dog park.  If all the other dogs are running free, it could make your dog feel leash aggressive if one approaches in a not so nice way.  My 1st suggestion is to go when there are very few people there until you know how your dogs will do.  Once there, IF a fight breaks out, do not yell or react in any way that will heighten the tension level.  It's difficult to do, but honestly, calmness will be your very best tool.  Of course you should try to avoid getting bitten yourself, so if you can reach a hose, I'd try that 1st.  Unfortunately, we've had no other recourse with my 2 than to physically pull them apart (water only worked the first couple fights), but it takes DH and myself each grabbing a collar and pulling backwards.  I've also seen demonstrations where each person grabs the rear legs and walks the dog backwards, sort of like a wheelbarrow.  Once separated, you can't let go because their adrenaline is so high that they'll usually go right back at it.  So one or both dogs need to be completely removed from the situation.  Hopefully all will go well for you and you won't need to know anything, but it's good to be prepared.

I think Liesje's suggestion about keeping control of them with their leads is normally the best advice, but probably not at a dog park. If all the other dogs are running free, it could make your dog feel leash aggressive if one approaches in a not so nice way. My

Yah, you can ignore that.  I forgot about it being a dog park and most likely off leash.  If that's the case, just make sure your dog has a good recall, make sure you have access to a prop as described by DPU should you need one, and keep your fingers crossed!

First off, keep your eyes open for signs of aggression, that way you can intervene before a fight breaks out.

The other thing I'd do is watch the dogs and people from outside, before you go in. See which dog owners seem most knowledgeable - they'll be the ones that are keeping a good eye out on their own, as well as everyone else's dogs. [] Leave your dogs with your dad, walk in and introduce yourself to that person (or group of people), and tell them its your first time and you're kind of nervous, and ask if they have any suggestions. They should be able to tell who they know and don't know, in the park, who to look out for, in otherwords. Once you're in, these folks will also know to keep an eye out for you and your dog. It's a wonderful system! []

If a fight does break out, hopefully you and the other dog owner will stay calm, and be able to each take your dog from the back, by the crook of their legs and pull them apart. That's worked for me. So far as I've seen, most dog park scuffles end when owners call their dog's name, say leave it, or pull them apart as I described.

At the doggie daycare I volunteer for, we carry squirt bottles if the dogs are acting too crabby with each other, that calls them off immediately.

Oh, and good luck! Hope it's a great experience for you!

The best time to stop a dog fight is before it happens!

It is very rare, at a dog park, for a fight to come out of nothing, especially if the dogs know one another.  Be vigilant in looking for body language that indicates dominance or aggression.  Stiff necks, ears completely forward, a tail held high, bristly back (except in the case of a ridgeback) but especially pertinent is the stare. 

At any point of any of that body language, you should let your presence be known to the dogs.  At the first sign of growly behavior from either dog I, personally, will yell "HEY!" in a voice that will wake the dead.  It's something that is better done with a deeper voice- no offense to anyone with a high pitched voice.  As soon as the dogs are startled off their encounter, I leash my dog and walk away.  If the other dog attempts to follow, I'll yell again and attempt to find the owner of said animal.  "Who's dog is this???"

ISG:  Before you go inside the DP, watch for a few minutes.  See how the dogs are playing, of if they're not playing.  Get a feel for what's commonly accepted and what is not.

Also, if a fight erupts elsewhere, you should be close enough to your dog to leash him/her up immediately.  Once things settle down a tad bit, it's time to leave.  Don't stick around because any fight or conflict within a DP heightens the arousal of the dogs.  It doesn't make for good play time.

I hope this helps.

DO NOT keep the dogs on their leads inside the park

All the fights I've 'handled' I've done so badly so I'm the last person to listen to for advice there. However yes the best way to avoid a dog fight is not let it start. That's why a good recall is really important for your dog to have before a visit to a dog park. I recally my dogs frequently at the park just to make sure they are willing and able to do so when a dog enters that I am not comfortable with or someone pulls out an awesome toy or something like that.

http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf

ORIGINAL: Bobsk8

[linkhttp://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf]http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf[/link]

 
I have seen the video demonostrating this and the circling or walking sideways was what was missing out of Ixas_girl's post.  This works great if you have two people that are the same experience level and are capable of being calm and yes fearless.   Using the fence gate to pry two locked dogs apart would be a last ditch effort.  So to me, not very practical.

Body language and eye contact is everything.....also, keep an eye on the tail, but you gotta know your stuff......[]
 
I have separated dogs with broom sticks.....never put your hand in there......and, I have seen some mean fights before....the worst......two female Huskies.............WOW...

ORIGINAL: DPU

ORIGINAL: Bobsk8

[linkhttp://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf]http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf[/link]

I have seen the video demonostrating this and the circling or walking sideways was what was missing out of Ixas_girl's post.  This works great if you have two people that are the same experience level and are capable of being calm and yes fearless.   Using the fence gate to pry two locked dogs apart would be a last ditch effort.  So to me, not very practical.

A very experienced trainer who visits the shelter, says that one inexperienced  person trying to break up an all out dog fight, almost guarantees that the person is going to be bitten by one or both dogs, even if one of the dogs belong to him or her. .

That very experienced trainer is absolutely correct. Let me show you my scars. Okay I don't have any actual scars, but I seem to be under some sort of curse that makes it so that if I am around and there's a dog fight, I'm going to be the only person present, and I handle the situation badly, as I stated above. And I have been bitten, by my own dogs. They don't really see anything but the other dog in that moment so it's nothing personal. Just bad dog handling by me. Also, breaking up a fight when there's just one of you is really, really difficult.

Choke out is best.

Of course in the heat of the moment that is NOT the method I used.  Ideally all dogs should be wearing flat collars during play.  This way if a fight breaks out you can rabies pole your arms (so you don't get bitten) and lift the front legs off the ground.  If you can't breath you can't fight.

The way that I've broken up fights has been dumb as I jumped right in the middle without any concern for my own safety.  The first fight was between my old Dutchie and a DA Rottie.  My Dutchie slipped his collar, the Rottie wasn't wearing one, I scruffed the neck and the butt of my Dutchie and hucked him over the 4' fence.
The second was between a Husky mix and a Boxer.  Neither were wearing collars.  I scruffed the neck and butt of the Huskey mix and threw him in the door, slamming it behind him.

Anytime you reach for a collar you have a chance of getting bitten.  If the dogs can be broken up with a broom stick, hose, or water bucket that is obviously preferable.  But in an all out dog fight choking out is preferable.  Of course my dog fight training is through pit bull people, and pit bulls fight much differently than other dogs.