Introducing dogs to each other should always be done on neutral grounds and not in the yard or home of the dog as it could start a dog fight as territorial needs may come into play. A Park or even on the street many houses away is all you need to do. The introduction should be on a loose leash for both dogs. People make the mistake of bringing the dogs together head on, this is a no no in doggie terms. When dogs meet they usually will go to the middle of the new dog, and then sniff places where most people are embarrassed this is the “Doggie Hello”. Dogs may circle each other first it will be up to you to keep the leash loose and let the dog move around this is normal behavior for a dog, and allowing them to meet on their terms is best.
Once the dogs feel comfortable with each other go for a short walk on leash with the dogs, in most cases they will soon become good friends. If for any reason they take a dislike to each other don?t push it try again another day. You may find that some dogs just don?t want to be around some other dogs. Just as you meet people you don?t care for dogs can be the same way. If they don?t get along after a few meetings you may just have to assume they will not be fast friends. Dogs are social animals so they are more likely to get along than not.
For the average dog owner a dog fight can be a very scary experience, it can also be very dangerous if not done correctly. Most people when they try to separate a dog fight will reach for the dog?s collar, this is a very dangerous move and in most cases what leads to people being bitten while trying to separate a fight. When dogs fight they are in survival mode, in most cases they will not listen to any commands, when dogs fight they are trying to disable or kill the opponent by damaging around the neck and in many cases break the front legs. The action is very quick with a dog going from neck to legs, this is why reaching for a collar is NOT the thing to do because you will get bitten.
Throwing water on fighting dogs does nothing but get them wet, and it may make them harder to separate because of the wet fur. Before you attempt to separate a fight make sure all other dogs and children are out of the area and secured. Other dogs can enter the fray ganging up on one dog and making it more dangerous to stop the fight. Children could also get bitten by not knowing better and trying to help their dog or by just getting in the way.
Many years ago a breeder explained to me the correct way to separate a dog fight and having owned a few dog aggressive dogs over the years, I have used this technique a few times over with out ever being bitten separating a dog fight. Please keep in mind even with this technique you could still get bitten separating a dog fight is dangerous for anyone, but allowing a dog fight to continue could be deadly for one or both of the dogs.
The best way to separate a dog fight is to grab the hind legs or tail to throw the dog off balance, I usually go for the aggressor in the fight and grab the hind legs to throw the dog off balance. Having 2 Adults do this is ideal, each should grab a dog?s hind legs with the intent of throwing the dogs off balance. When the dogs are off balance or in most cases lying on the ground start to pull the dogs apart. The dogs may still have a grip on each other at this point you need to watch and wait for one or both dogs to let go of their grip. This can happen quickly so you do need to be prepared when that happens pull the dogs apart, you still need to use care so that you don?t cause a dog to have a major injury. Once the dogs are separated get enough space between them and leashes put on them so that you can check for injury. Any puncture wounds need to be seen by a Veterinarian so that infection does not occur. It?s also important for any person who is bitten to be seen by a Doctor, dog bites usually become infected if not seen by a Doctor.
If you?re alone or no one will help you have 2 options put a leash around one of the dogs middle put the clip through the noose of the leash and then clip the leash to a chain link fence or around a small tree. The purpose is to limit 1 dog?s ability to move around when this is done move to the hind legs of the other dog and use the technique above to separate the dogs. What I have found to work the best it to use a door, whether it be a kennel gate, front door, or bedroom door. Grab one of the dogs hind legs and move the dogs to the door/gate threshold. When you?re at the threshold use the door to separate the dogs, I will grab hold of the door knob or gate and try to close it by bringing it into the head area of the 2 dogs fighting. Keep in mind I?m not bashing the heads of the dogs or trying to cause an injury to either dog but using the door as a barrier between the dogs. I also feel the movement of the door/gate coming towards the head area is enough of a distraction to help break up the fight. When the dogs do let go close the door fast check the dog you have with you quickly for injuries and restrain him/her so that you can check the other dog for injuries too, if any puncture wounds are present the medical treatment is needed immediately.
Please keep in mind when separating a dog fight even with this method the dog you are holding could still turn and bite you. I?ve never had this happen to me but most of the fights I have separated have been my own dogs. A strange dog may feel that you are threat to them as well.
As the old adage says ?An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Avoiding a dog fight is best thing you can do. To do this you should keep in mind why dogs fight;
- Intact male dogs will fight over a female in heat, male dogs can smell a female in heat a good distance away. In most cases a neutered male dogs is not going to care about a female in heat nor start a fight over her.
- Dogs will fight over territory; this goes back to their ancestors the wolf who would keep to a territory for family and hunting.
- Dogs will fight over pack order, you will find this in multiple dog homes and for dogs that go to doggie day care or dog parks on a regular basis.
- Some dogs are just Dog Aggressive whether it be genetic or from experience, some of this can be controlled with proper training but don?t ever expect a dog aggressive dog to be dog friendly.
- Play that can get out of hand, if a dog plays to rough for another dog the other dog may feel they need to defend themselves which could escalate into a dog fight.
- Most fights are male to male or female to female, It?s very rare for a male and female to fight. If you?re considering getting a second dog you would do better to get one of the opposite sex from the dog you have.
- In most cases male to male fights are for dominance or for a female in heat, they rarely fight to the death. Females on the other hand will fight till one is dead and in my experiences they are the worse fights to separate.
There usually are warning signs before a dog fight begins, a dogs body with become tense the ears will go back, they will stare intently at the opponent. The dogs may even start to circle each other before fighting. Some dogs will charge from a distance and tackle and attack a dog. Any dog charging your dog should be considered dangerous even if the owners say ?He?s OK? don?t believe it, tell the owners to get their dog under control! I?ve had dog fights start this way because the STUPID owners didn?t know what their dog was about to do. If a dog does charge you, putting yourself between your dog and the charging dog may stop the charge but beware you could still get bitten doing this and a fight could start anyway. I have found that some insecure dogs that charge anyway will stop the charge with this method.
Learn how to introduce dogs properly and when you meet a strange dog never put yourself between the new dog and your dog unless your protecting your dog as described above. Pulling your dog back and behind you may give the signal that you don?t trust this dog and your dog may thing he/she needs to protect you.
Dog?s are a social animal and the majority of them do get along but if your ever faced with a dog fight separating them with this method should limit your risk of being bitten.
