Difference between revisions of "Break Up a Dog Fight"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Breaking Up a Fight From Afar=== | === Breaking Up a Fight From Afar=== | ||
| − | #Stay calm. Most dogfights only last for seconds. Your greatest advantage in this situation is a clear head. The best thing you can do is to startle the dogs enough to distract them. <ref>http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/breaking-dogfight</ref> | + | #Stay calm. Most dogfights only last for seconds. Your greatest advantage in this situation is a clear head. The best thing you can do is to startle the dogs enough to distract them. <ref name="rf1">http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/breaking-dogfight</ref> |
#*Resist the urge to grab your dog by the collar. This might be your first impulse, but when dogs are really fighting, they may whip around and bite instinctively, even without any past aggression. When the dogs' bodies are rigid and it's clear they're actually fighting, not playing, don't risk reaching your hand in there. | #*Resist the urge to grab your dog by the collar. This might be your first impulse, but when dogs are really fighting, they may whip around and bite instinctively, even without any past aggression. When the dogs' bodies are rigid and it's clear they're actually fighting, not playing, don't risk reaching your hand in there. | ||
#Make as much noise as you can. Dogfights don't last long, so use whatever you have at hand. | #Make as much noise as you can. Dogfights don't last long, so use whatever you have at hand. | ||
#*Yell, shriek, stomp your feet, and clap your hands — whatever you can do to attract the dogs' attention. | #*Yell, shriek, stomp your feet, and clap your hands — whatever you can do to attract the dogs' attention. | ||
| − | #*If you have metal dog bowls or garbage cans nearby, you can bang two pieces of metal together. <ref>http://www.petfinder.com/pro/for-shelters/breaking-dog-fights-shelter</ref> | + | #*If you have metal dog bowls or garbage cans nearby, you can bang two pieces of metal together. <ref name="rf2">http://www.petfinder.com/pro/for-shelters/breaking-dog-fights-shelter</ref> |
#Hose them down. Water — as much as you have — can really get a dog's attention. Douse the fighting dogs with a hose, a bucket, or a cup of soda if you have to. No harm done, and in most cases the dogs will walk away, a little wet but not worse for wear. | #Hose them down. Water — as much as you have — can really get a dog's attention. Douse the fighting dogs with a hose, a bucket, or a cup of soda if you have to. No harm done, and in most cases the dogs will walk away, a little wet but not worse for wear. | ||
#*If you are going to a dog park or another location where there will be unfamiliar dogs, bring a spray bottle to use in an emergency. | #*If you are going to a dog park or another location where there will be unfamiliar dogs, bring a spray bottle to use in an emergency. | ||
#Use a barrier to split them up. Look for something you can use to separate the dogs. A large piece of cardboard, plywood, a garbage can lid, a big stick — any of these can be used to separate the dogs without putting your hands in harm's way. | #Use a barrier to split them up. Look for something you can use to separate the dogs. A large piece of cardboard, plywood, a garbage can lid, a big stick — any of these can be used to separate the dogs without putting your hands in harm's way. | ||
| − | #Throw a blanket over the dogs. Some dogs will stop fighting when they can't see each other anymore. If you have a large blanket, a tarp, a jacket, or another piece of opaque material, try tossing it over the fighting dogs to calm them down. <ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=USfJJOu3VAkC&pg=PT532&lpg=PT532&dq=throw+a+blanket+over+fighting+dogs&source=bl&ots=Vim1t1ELRu&sig=5s-p_AtG7XrcF1JPn87zyPqj9HM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBGoVChMIh_GwnrOkxwIVh9k-Ch3Bxwuf#v=onepage&q=throw%20a%20blanket%20over%20fighting%20dogs&f=false</ref> | + | #Throw a blanket over the dogs. Some dogs will stop fighting when they can't see each other anymore. If you have a large blanket, a tarp, a jacket, or another piece of opaque material, try tossing it over the fighting dogs to calm them down. <ref name="rf3">https://books.google.com/books?id=USfJJOu3VAkC&pg=PT532&lpg=PT532&dq=throw+a+blanket+over+fighting+dogs&source=bl&ots=Vim1t1ELRu&sig=5s-p_AtG7XrcF1JPn87zyPqj9HM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBGoVChMIh_GwnrOkxwIVh9k-Ch3Bxwuf#v=onepage&q=throw%20a%20blanket%20over%20fighting%20dogs&f=false</ref> |
===Knowing When to Step In and How to Do It=== | ===Knowing When to Step In and How to Do It=== | ||
| − | #Know circumstances in which you should intervene. Again, it's important to note that most scuffles between dogs last only seconds and can appear worse than they really are. Fights involving fighting breeds should be stopped as they have trouble reading social signals from other dogs. Fights between dogs of two very different sizes, or two females in heat likely will need to be broken up, as well as fights involving dogs who are known to have done physical harm in the past or will not walk away.<ref>http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/ask-expert-breaking-dog-fight/20223</ref> | + | #Know circumstances in which you should intervene. Again, it's important to note that most scuffles between dogs last only seconds and can appear worse than they really are. Fights involving fighting breeds should be stopped as they have trouble reading social signals from other dogs. Fights between dogs of two very different sizes, or two females in heat likely will need to be broken up, as well as fights involving dogs who are known to have done physical harm in the past or will not walk away.<ref name="rf4">http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/ask-expert-breaking-dog-fight/20223</ref> |
#Do not get between the dogs. Under almost no circumstances should you get between two dogs that are actively biting. In the confusion, the dogs will mistake you for another target and you will get bitten. | #Do not get between the dogs. Under almost no circumstances should you get between two dogs that are actively biting. In the confusion, the dogs will mistake you for another target and you will get bitten. | ||
#*If the dogs are very small, then you may be able to step between the two dogs to block their view from each other and diffuse the situation. | #*If the dogs are very small, then you may be able to step between the two dogs to block their view from each other and diffuse the situation. | ||
| − | #Grab hold of the dog. Approach your dog from behind and grab the top of its hind legs. Lift their back paws off the ground into a wheelbarrow position. Begin walking backwards, circling to one side so the dog will not be able to turn and bite you.<ref>http://www.shepardhavenlaw.com/stop-a-dog-fight/</ref> | + | #Grab hold of the dog. Approach your dog from behind and grab the top of its hind legs. Lift their back paws off the ground into a wheelbarrow position. Begin walking backwards, circling to one side so the dog will not be able to turn and bite you.<ref name="rf5">http://www.shepardhavenlaw.com/stop-a-dog-fight/</ref> |
#*This works best if someone else is there to grab the legs of the other dog so you can pull them apart. | #*This works best if someone else is there to grab the legs of the other dog so you can pull them apart. | ||
#*Never insert your arms into a dog fight, as you will get bitten. | #*Never insert your arms into a dog fight, as you will get bitten. | ||
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#*This technique is especially effective when done with more than one person. | #*This technique is especially effective when done with more than one person. | ||
#*It is not necessary to kick or try to hurt the dogs; the goal is to separate them. | #*It is not necessary to kick or try to hurt the dogs; the goal is to separate them. | ||
| − | #*Once you have separated the dogs, don't forget to protect yourself. In particular, if one or more of the dogs becomes aggressive towards you, don't turn and run — continue to face the dog, stand still, and avoid eye contact.<ref>http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/behavior-training/understanding-your-dog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-dog-bites</ref> | + | #*Once you have separated the dogs, don't forget to protect yourself. In particular, if one or more of the dogs becomes aggressive towards you, don't turn and run — continue to face the dog, stand still, and avoid eye contact.<ref name="rf6">http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/behavior-training/understanding-your-dog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-dog-bites</ref> |
=== Stopping Fights Before They Start=== | === Stopping Fights Before They Start=== | ||
#Observe how your dog interacts with other dogs. Does your dog bark, pounce, and snap? How rough does she normally play? If you know what behavior your dog usually exhibits around other dogs, it will be easier to tell when there's a fight brewing. | #Observe how your dog interacts with other dogs. Does your dog bark, pounce, and snap? How rough does she normally play? If you know what behavior your dog usually exhibits around other dogs, it will be easier to tell when there's a fight brewing. | ||
| − | #Watch the dogs' bodies. When dogs play, it often sounds a lot like it does when they're fighting.<ref | + | #Watch the dogs' bodies. When dogs play, it often sounds a lot like it does when they're fighting.<ref name="rf1" /> Dogs will growl, snap their jaws, and bite one another roughly. Instead of listening, watch the dogs' bodies. If they look loose and relaxed, and they're wagging their tails, they're probably just playing. However, if the dogs' bodies appear stiff and rigid, and their tails are down, they may getting ready to fight.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Intervene in harassment and rough play. In some cases, one dog will think it's playtime, but the other isn't having it. If this is the case, it may be better to separate the dogs.<ref | + | #Intervene in harassment and rough play. In some cases, one dog will think it's playtime, but the other isn't having it. If this is the case, it may be better to separate the dogs.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Sometimes, playtime can be too rough, even if both dogs seem to like it. A very large dog might accidentally hurt a small dog, for example. | #*Sometimes, playtime can be too rough, even if both dogs seem to like it. A very large dog might accidentally hurt a small dog, for example. | ||
#Don't encourage competition. Dogs can get territorial over food and toys. Some breeds are more apt to defend their rights to beloved possessions, while others are better at sharing. Know your dog's unique personality traits so that you can prevent a battle from happening when another dog comes around. | #Don't encourage competition. Dogs can get territorial over food and toys. Some breeds are more apt to defend their rights to beloved possessions, while others are better at sharing. Know your dog's unique personality traits so that you can prevent a battle from happening when another dog comes around. | ||
