Best way to break up a dog fight

• 09-22-2007 1:29 PM

  Sandy E Joined on 09-15-2007 southern Illinois Posts 38 Points 140

  Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact The discussion thread on "Scared me to death!"  got me thinking.  Just what is the safest way to break up a dog fight? As I said there, I'd been told to grab the hind legs of one of the dogs and lift it into the air.  That didn't go so well.  The dog swung itself back and bit me on the leg.  Not to mention that if it had been a large dog (Dane, Sheepdog, etc.) I could never have gotten it off the ground! Suggestions?? Sandy E and The Girls "To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorous afternnon is t be back in Eden." Milan Kundera"

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• 09-22-2007 7:29 PM

  In reply to Sandy E

  Sue and Buddy Joined on 07-20-2006 Chicago suburbs Posts 632 Points 140

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact Sandy E: As I said there, I'd been told to grab the hind legs of one of the dogs and lift it into the air. Actually, what I have heard is that instead of lifting, you pull them away by the back legs.  This method works the best when there are two people, one to grab each dog. Sue "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

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• 09-22-2007 10:35 PM

  In reply to Sue and Buddy

  Katybud Joined on 07-15-2007 Posts 86 Points 0	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact if you have a water hose close by spray them with water .
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• 09-22-2007 11:47 PM

  In reply to Sandy E

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 10,133 Points 735

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact Sandy E: The discussion thread on "Scared me to death!"  got me thinking.  Just what is the safest way to break up a dog fight? As I said there, I'd been told to grab the hind legs of one of the dogs and lift it into the air.  That didn't go so well.  The dog swung itself back and bit me on the leg.  Not to mention that if it had been a large dog (Dane, Sheepdog, etc.) I could never have gotten it off the ground! Suggestions??     The first thing is not to panic, scream, etc.  Just set about to deliberately and calmly separate them.  If it's all bluster, and no one is being punctured, a loud noise or water hose might work, but not with serious down & dirty fights. If the dogs are Pit Bulls, you will need a breaking stick.  http://www.pbrc.net/breakfight.html     If you are alone, loop a kennel lead, or leash that you have fashioned a loop in, around one dog's loins and drag them to a spot that you can tether that dog to (doorknob, fence rail, etc.)  Then, pick up the other dog's hind legs (like a wheelbarrow) and pull him away from the first dog, but as you do that, circle away - don't go straight backward.  Keep backing and circling until you get to a place where you can confine the dog - in a room or behind a fence, etc.  Don't let him go too early, he may just go back and begin the fight again.  If you have a helper, both people loop the dogs' loins and back away circling. (Helps keep the dog from being able to turn around and get you)  Some people advocate keeping a couple of spray bottles filled with vinegar in the refrigerator.  If you squirt into the dogs' nostrils, they may release.  If you have no vinegar, a beverage that has fizz might work.     Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 09-23-2007 11:18 AM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  dr_dolittle57 Joined on 02-23-2007 Posts 139 Points 0	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact I like the water hose idea from Katybud. Dogs can turn on you as was mentioned, especially if you release them too early. Holding only one dog can put it at a disadvantage too. Personally I would tread lightly on getting hands near a dog fight. Spiritdogs has a good post. www.hollywoodpet.net
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• 09-23-2007 12:19 PM

  In reply to dr_dolittle57

  neapolitanpitbull Joined on 11-28-2006 Washington Posts 294 Points 35	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact Hose..Spray it on high jet and that will get them apart in no time.
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• 09-23-2007 12:27 PM

  In reply to neapolitanpitbull

  Sandy E Joined on 09-15-2007 southern Illinois Posts 38 Points 140	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact   When I'm out walking in the neighborhood or at a dog  park, etc.  I don't have immediate access to a hose. So what else might work? Sandy E and The Girls "To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorous afternnon is t be back in Eden." Milan Kundera"
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• 09-23-2007 12:37 PM

  In reply to Sandy E

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,680 Points 745

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact When walking you are at a considerable disadvantage.   Up your vigilance and chance directions as soon as you see anything questionable.  Use a different route for walks and different times so resident dogs dont learn your schedule.  If they know when you are coming and happen to get out, there is a frustration factor from all those previous bark fests etc that occurred when you passed their property. Your best bet is to prevent the fight between the dogs.  The use of visually intimidating objects (self opening umbrellas; plastic bags on bottles attached to a stick/handle/ cane), the chemical deterants (Direct stop), or an air horn are things you could consider.  Your dogs need to be exposed to the method you choose.  To be attacked and have your person use something scary could be very difficult to recover from.  Small dogs really dont stand a chance in a dog fight, you have to prevent it instead.

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• 09-23-2007 3:21 PM

  In reply to mrv

  buttonbutt Joined on 08-03-2007 Temple, Texas Posts 205 Points 450

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact Ditto to everything MRV said.  I have mini rat terriers.  Trust me, they do not see size.  They'll stand their ground with any size dog!  Many a rattie has lost his life doing so.  My 3 y.o. dog is friendly with all dogs regardless of size; my rescue, who was a stray,  is not friendly with any dogs or cats.  I make sure I only walk one dog at a time because of their different reactions to other animals.  Button wants to run up & play and Zipper growls and tries to go ballistic.  If someone is walking a big dog coming our way, I just make a turn and walk down another street.   That way I don't have to deal with "fight" potential.  My vet said it's not wise to try to break up dogs fighting at all unless yours is on a leash and you can just pull them apart by pulling hard on the leash so as not to get your arms/legs/body too close to them.  He said once a dog is in "attack mode", they no longer "see normally " or notice that a person has has stepped into the mix.  He told me if a hose isn't handy & they're off leash, don't step in, even with very small dogs.  One time I tried the "pull the back legs" approach with two 13 lb. dachshunds.  But the older male, upside down for just a couple of seconds, curled back and bit me on the arm seriously.   Two males (sire & pup) with alpha issues.  I ended up rehoming the younger, non-biting dog after two years of these incidents. Peggy Mom to Button & Zipper Two friendly RatTexans

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• 09-24-2007 12:33 AM

  In reply to Sandy E

  HoundMusic Joined on 09-01-2007 Bronx, NY Posts 486 Points 0

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact The discussion thread on "Scared me to death!"  got me thinking.  Just what is the safest way to break up a dog fight?      The safest way is one that will break up the fight and not get the human bitten. I've found that if a fight breaks out indoors, and you have a full sized garbage pail, grab it and give the dogs a good whack with it. I slam the pail between the two of them, which acts as a shield for me and a temporary barrier that keeps the dogs from continuing the fight. If outside, grab a stick, broom, anything long that you can whack the dogs with. If one dog has another by the throat, usa a breaking stick - that long stick or broom could also be used to be slipped into the attacker's mouth to pry the jaws apart, then to whack the dogs if they attempt to go at it again ... But yeah, for the home, the garbage pail method is very safe for both humans & dogs.

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• 09-24-2007 1:01 AM

  In reply to HoundMusic

  k_dawg Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 249 Points 0	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact I've always just picked up the smaller/easier to grab dog and held him up, and used my body and my knee to keep the other dog down.
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• 09-24-2007 6:04 AM

  In reply to k_dawg

  janetmichel3009 Joined on 11-28-2006 Beijing, China Posts 2,376 Points 370

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact i don't have any experience with dog fights involving big dogs, and i hope i will never need any. the only dog fight i occationally have to break up is between my own two dogs. in that scenario i just go in there and pull them apart, if necessary grab each dog and hold them apart. i have yet to come away with a real bite, but i have been scratched up pretty bad in the past. i figure, better me getting hurt than the dogs.. but i can see how this would be different with big dogs or with dogs you don't know.. Janet

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• 09-24-2007 7:05 AM

  In reply to k_dawg

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,680 Points 745	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact Respectfully, that strategy (picking up dogs)  will work only some of the time.  A large dog or a very high drive dog may be leaping on you to get to your dog.  Strategies that keep dogs at a distance may be a safer alternative for all concerned.
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• 09-24-2007 8:08 AM

  In reply to Sandy E

  dogslife Joined on 08-22-2006 Posts 1,184 Points 150

  Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact I was always taught to stay out of dog fights. Once they are started you really should not get in the way of the teeth. My dogs have had only a couple of spats. I actually just have to raise my voice and say, 'stop right now". They pay attention to what I say and I have never had to lay hand on either of them. It is like chilldren, lots of times they simply want the adult to give them permission to stop. My husky prior to these two, only had bad words about 3 times with dogs that were portraying bad/dangerous behavior. He apparently showed authority in his voice and without any physical touching, the other dog would stop his bad behavior. He really was an intuitive animal. Siberian huskies are a lot like potato chips. We need to have more than one!

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• 09-24-2007 8:15 AM

  In reply to dogslife

  Bobsk8 Joined on 08-22-2006 Atlanta, GA Posts 1,513 Points 100	Re: Best way to break up a dog fight Reply Contact http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf Adopt rather than buy, and save a life
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