How to Break up a Dog Fight

It has been three years since I have been boarding dogs in my home.  Luckily I have not encountered a dog fight.  I own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ginger so she has come in contact with every dog I have boarded.

The most important thing I do is schedule a meet and greet.  This allows me to first meet the dog and the owner.  During the session I see how the dog interacts with Ginger.  If I see the dog has not been socialized and may have an aggressive nature, I will not take the dog.  I was bitten by a small dog at a meet and greet but I will blog about that another day.   I also only take dogs that have been spayed and neutered.  According to Paw-Rescue, “dogs perceive neutered dogs as less of a threat. With male dogs, neutering reduces the chances dogs will bite and neutering is linked with a reduction in several kinds of aggression.”

Once the dog comes in for the stay I will keep them separated between gates.  They usually look at each other and sniff each other out.  Now I will say this, Ginger is not an aggressive dog.  She has never been an alpha dog and will retreat if she senses something.  That is the nature of the Cavalier king Charles, they are total love bugs perhaps that’s why I have been so lucky.

However, I always use common sense when I am caring for the dogs. Prevention, of course, is the best approach.  For example, when it comes to feeding time, I always separate the dogs no matter what.  Dog can be food aggressive and can become nasty if they feel someone is going to take their food.  The same applies with treats. Some dog owners send in raw hide treats (I don’t give these to Ginger) but nevertheless, when the guest dog is eating these I will keep the two separated.  Be careful with toys, as some dog can get aggressive with toys as well.

There are times when stays will overlap and I may have three dogs for a day or two.  At my home, dogs are always supervised and if I so much think there may be a scuffle, I will separate them. I just can’t take the chance of dogs getting into a fight.

I will share some techniques below that I have researched on the net that I believe would work, but again I personally have never separated dogs during a fight and I hope to never have to. But I keep these techniques handy because one never knows.

If the dogs do get into a fight, never grab them by the collar.  That might be your first thought but this can ensure a dog bite.  Instead, if there are two people, each person should grab each dog by their hind leg. Lift their back paws off the ground into a wheelbarrow position and pull them apart.  Again, this will only work with two people but there are other methods as well.

Always keep a bottle full of water and/or vinegar handy.  You can use a spray bottle or a squirt bottle.  If a fight ensues squirt the dogs with the liquids.  This hopefully will startle them and break their concentration.  Same applies if they are outside, if you have access to a garden hose, hose them down!

If you are indoors and have access to a blanket and/or coat, toss it over the dogs. You can also place a board or an object such as a baking sheet in between them.  Whatever you may have access too at that moment.   Again, this will hopefully break their concentration and calm them enough to stop until you can safely separate them.

Another item you can use to again break their concentration is to use an air horn.  You can purchase an item such as the Safety-Sport Dog Horn.  The Dog Horn can produce two distinct sounds and is recommended by Humane Societies.  It can deter attacks and dog fights.  I have one and keep it handy and even take it with me on walks.

Once you are able to stop the fight, separate them immediately and check the dogs for injuries.  If you board dogs as I do, contact the owners as well.  It may be wise to take the dogs to the Vet to get checked.  There may be an injuries that only a Vet may be able to spot.

With all this said, I hope I never have to get in between two fighting dogs but it’s important to always be prepared.