Dogs will fight for a variety of reasons. Some dogs just don’t like each other. Sometimes dogs fight out of fear known as “fear aggression.” Some dogs attack out of dominance, which is known as “dominance aggression.” Many dogs exhibit a bit of both. One of the worst types of fights that can occur is a “food fight” in which dogs attack other dogs to steal food or bones, or defend their food / bones / raw fur from other dogs. This is when the wolf will come out on the cute and cuddly dog ​​that sits under your desk or caresses itself in the crook of your arm on the couch. In an instant, dogs can go from being happy, goofy, and friendly to wild, vicious animals with gleaming teeth, spiky hairs, and blazing eyes. And if he gets in the way, the WRONG way, he will be bitten, sometimes savagely.

Don’t blame the dog. You are in another world when this happens. It’s like I’m going into hyperspace, fueled only by fear, rage, and adrenaline, and your orders won’t work. The conclusion is the following. When the dogs start fighting you have to stop and stop him quickly and it really is not important why the fight started. You just need to stop it and stop it as fast as you can. Later, we can worry about what caused the problem.

In the resource section there is a link where you can find an extraordinary video showing an experienced dog biologist / expert stopping a dogfight the right way. And the correct way is this. QUICK. Do it fast. Don’t hesitate.Don’t let it escalate. Don’t let the dogs lock each other up. If you have more than two dogs, it can turn into a riot / melee where multiple dogs attack one dog or each other.

In any dog ​​fight, there will be an aggressor. A dog that starts the fire. A dog that is most eager for the fight. Grab that dog. Don’t worry about the other dog. Take control of a dog and you will be in control of the fight. Smaller dogs, you can pick them up off the ground to get them out of the fray. Larger dogs, you spank them and push them away from the other dog. In the video of the fight quoted in the resource section, the human top / fight breaker lifts an 80-pound dog off the scene. If you cannot lift such a large or larger dog, try spanking him and placing him with his back to the other dog.

If the other dog persists in attacking, you may have to kick the other dog you are holding from or, better yet, if you can, you can go into another room and close the door behind you. The way I do it is to grab the aggressive dog with both hands, one hand on either side of the nape behind the ears, and lift him into the air, his back against my chest. This will prevent the dog from moving and biting. As you remove the aggressive dog from the direct line of fire, you may start yelling commands and maybe the other dog will listen, maybe not, but you might as well give it a try. I use a basketball after a fight to control and separate the dogs as you see in the video at http://dogtv.com.

A basketball is a great way to deter fights when you see them about to happen too, especially during mealtime. Keep fighting prone dogs on opposite sides of the room and use the ball to bounce off and intimidate a dog that has ideas to chase the other dogs’ food and start a fight. Good luck and have fun with your dogs!