[bredkumanfirst]

So I'm sure some of us have been there (i've been there more than I care to admit)
Naturally, being a responsible owner and avoiding situations where this might happen should be your first line of defence. However, even the most responsible owners are faced with this prospect. And if your dog is DA (dog aggressive) the chances of this happening are higher.


Of course your methods will GREATLY depend on the circumstances. I have found that a break stick is a must in my household. In the best case scenario, you will not be the only adult in the household. I also make sure that if there is a multiple dog situation that ALL dogs are collared, which makes for easier grab and possible twisting of the collar. Twisting of a collar will result in choking which in most cases will cause a dog to release. Yes choking a dog out sounds horrible but it's a very effective way to stop a fight....A dog that can't breath, won't hold on...
It's is also very important to keep in mind that jumping into the middle of a dog fight unprepared may get you injured. So as scary as it is and sounds, TRY TO KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU. Also, as soon as you've stopped the actual fight, physically separate the dogs into areas away from each other where they can't see each other.....I've had fights escalate again through windows and sliding glass doors.

Break stick: The break stick is usually a hammer handle that is sawed or shaved into a V shape at one end. You use it on the dog that has the hold. It's inserted into the side of the mouth between the back molars and then pried upwards for a release. NO PIT BULLS DON"T HAVE LOCKING JAWS....but their tenacity will keep them holding. I would NEVER recommend hitting over the head with objects as this will add fuel to the fire IMO.


I think that in most cases fights can be avoided....Once your familiar with your dogs body language and you practice responsible ownership (leashing, avoiding dog parks, slow introductions to new dogs etc) you should be able to read when your dog is getting aggro.....Sometimes even hard play can escalate into a snarf if one of the dogs is hot.

[elects]

Good info Vanella...also, is it wise, if you can, to lift the dog's hind legs to get him off balance?

[bredkumanfirst]

Good info Vanella...also, is it wise, if you can, to lift the dog's hind legs to get him off balance?

someone said that to me before, but I would be a tad nervous about a redirection intentionally or unintenionally.

[bredkumanfirst]

Good info Vanella...

Thanks. It was on the heels of a umm, cough cough, dog park thread.....

[elects]

I think the break stick is your best best....or wait until both dogs are out of hold.

Well, maybe if it was 2 chihauhuas going at it, i would consider grabbing the hind legs. But you can probably lift them right off the ground..LOL

[sat23neus2]

This was written for our two of our local shelters.... while its not the best way to break up a fight and experienced handlers can certainly use a break stick or other methods.... this was written to minimize liability and bites to the volunteers.

Breaking up a fight

The best way to break up a dog fight? AVOID them!
Assuming all Pit Bulls are dog aggressive needs to be a reminder in ALL shelter workers and volunteer’s minds. Sometimes all you have to go on is assumptions and in the case of a stray Pit Bull with an unknown history, it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Avoiding a dog fight is a lot easier than breaking one up and a lot better for you and the dogs involved. Keeping ALL dogs you are walking on a tight leash, being aware of your surroundings at all times and warning others who might forget that they need to keep the dog they are walking away from the dog you are walking are good things to practice.
So what happens if a dog fight between a Pit Bull and that barky Lab mix breaks out? Even worse a Pit Bull and another Pit Bull? USE YOUR LEASH!

Since policy mandates that all dogs be on leash coming to the kennels or going to the yards, then one could assume that a fight would be with at least one dog on a leash. Hopefully both of them are on leashes and then the tables are in your favor.

If both (or one) dogs are on leashes…. PULL. Don’t turn your back to the fight when you pull, instead get a really good grip on the leash and pull back with a sharp and hard jerk…. Let your body move steps backwards, not just your arms.

Hopefully if you are quick enough with your reaction that no dog has latched on and simply pulling them apart would be enough. If that is the case, return BOTH dogs to their kennels and notify a manager.
Let’s say when pulling the leashes you find that one dog has latched on to the other and is not letting go…. What do you do?

First let’s start with what you DON’T do and work our way from there!

DO NOT reach or wade in the middle of the fight
DO NOT grab collars
DO NOT yell or scream at the dogs
DO NOT allow another volunteer to get involved to help, only get help from employees.

Now what about the DO’s?

DO ask someone to throw you a leash if you do not have one
DO ask someone to go get a staff member ASAP
DO not attempt to break up a fight alone, always have two people
DO remember that these dogs are in fight mode and will bite you without realizing it

Ok now that we have the DO’s and the DON’T’s let’s talk specifics.
HOW do you break up a dog fight? Well usually it will be one dog with a latch on and the dog that doesn’t have a latch will be scrabbling for a better position to get a latch as well. Use this to your benefit and go after the safe dog first: The one with his mouth full!

Talk to the person with the other dog, communication is KEY so that neither of you get bit. Whoever holds the leash to the dog with the latch, drop the leash and grab that dog’s hind legs. The person who has the dog that is not latched on is to tighten the leash and HOLD ON!
Now the person with the hind legs (think like a wheelbarrow race) will need to pull backwards and at the same time, swing the dog from left to right. Usually this will cause the dog to let go as their balance is upset as is their orientation.

Make sure that when you are swinging the dog from side to side that you are doing it in gentle motions. A hard swing could actually cause the dog’s head to come back around close to you and you could be bitten. Soft swinging motion is sometimes hard when your adrenaline is pumping but it is very crucial.

Now say the dog drops it’s latch! Hooray the fight is over!! Right?

Wrong!

How you end the fight can be just as important as how you break it up. If you manage to get the dog to drop the latch and you then in turn drop the dog…. What will happen? The dog will just run back and start the fight all over again!!

So what do you do?

You remind the person that is holding the other dog on a leash that they need to IMMEDIATELY leave the area. You then ask a staff member to come and grab the leash of the dog before you let go of the legs. Once the leash is in a steady hand, you can drop the legs.
Scary?! That is why we say AVOID the fight at all costs…. It can save not only a dog, but your nerves as well!

If this method does not work for breaking up the fight other resources can be utilized. Water in either a hose or a bucket thrown on the dogs sometimes works. A fire extinguisher sprayed not directly at or on the dogs but near enough to startle them can work at times too. Remember regardless of using the first or these other methods, never drop the leash. The leash is your control, USE IT!

[denSmumbSes]

I hope this does not ofend anyone! But most damage during a fight come's from the violent shaking of the head!So head control is a must,both parties must control thier animals heads first then employ the stick's and step back and pick up the dog's and turn away from each other.Put the dog's body between your leg's after having control of the head will post more later Never jerk on a dog in hold as this will damage the other animal!!! Mac

[bug_user]

That's good advice on breaking up dog fights. I'm not sure how grabbing a Pit Bulls back legs would work because they get so focused on their target.

I've had to break up Pit Bull fights by myself & it was scary. I've always been able to grab both of the dogs by the collars. I would usually twist the collar to loosen the hold. I would have to maneuver them around so that I could shut a door between them to stop it!

The scariest fight I had to deal with was with a 4 way dog fight! I always had to keep 2 of my dogs (Petey & WooDog) separated because they didn't like each other but they always got along with the other two (Booker & Erica). The main contenders were Petey & WooDog. Booker & Erica were trying to join in. I was pushing Booker & Erica with my feet to get them away from the main fray. I finally had to let Petey & WooDog fight & shut the door on the other two. Then I broke up the fight Petey & WooDog. Luckily I had their cages in the room & I put them in. I was shaky, bloody (so where they), & got a small bite on my knee.

I'm so glad that my Vet understood about the Pit breed (& he himself had one) or he would have reported me for dog fighting!

[bug_user]

I've had to break up Pit Bull fights by myself & it was scary. I've always been able to grab both of the dogs by the collars. I would usually twist the collar to loosen the hold. I would have to maneuver them around so that I could shut a door between them to stop it!

The scariest fight I had to deal with was with a 4 way dog fight! I always had to keep 2 of my dogs (Petey & WooDog) separated because they didn't like each other but they always got along with the other two (Booker & Erica). The main contenders were Petey & WooDog. Booker & Erica were trying to join in. I was pushing Booker & Erica with my feet to get them away from the main fray. I finally had to let Petey & WooDog fight & shut the door on the other two. Then I broke up the fight between Petey & WooDog. Luckily I had their cages in the room & I put them in. I was shaky, bloody (so where they), & got a small bite on my knee. I think I used 10 gallons of hydrogen peroxide cleaning up the blood off of all of us, the rug, the walls, the door, the furniture, the cages & cleaning the wounds so that they could go to the vet.

I'm so glad that my Vet understood about the Pit breed (& he himself had one) or he would have reported me for dog fighting!

[weaddercaps]

That is deffinitley useful info now that I have a two dog house. .... I'm not looking farward to it at all (the thought scares me) but it's best that I'm prepared.

[dr-eavealer]

TheVictor,

The most important thing you can do in a dog fight is remain calm . If you can stand there and look for the best outcome without screaming, you'll be okay. Just remember that

[QysnZWB4]

Good info Vanella...also, is it wise, if you can, to lift the dog's hind legs to get him off balance?

This is what i no and would do, i heard the fight is over once this happens.

[weaddercaps]

TheVictor,

The most important thing you can do in a dog fight is remain calm . If you can stand there and look for the best outcome without screaming, you'll be okay. Just remember that

I'll keep that in mind. I'm sure it's Easier said then done.

[allvideO]

This is what i no and would do, i heard the fight is over once this happens.

It just doesn't work that way. I've seen dogs fighting with only one leg on the ground. The most damage is done in a fight when humans try to pull the dogs off each other.

Whomever said remain calm was right. The dogs aren't going to kill each other in 15 minutes or even 30 minutes. Leave them be until you've developed a strategy and obtained everything you need (i.e. breakstick, leash, collar-for those who refuse to leave a collar on their dogs, etc.).

[QqJamxqP]

also, is it wise, if you can, to lift the dog's hind legs to get him off balance? If there are two people there and each is capable of controlling a dog, you first,

Stay Calm, its rare for dogs to inflict life threatening damage in the time it takes to take a breath and focus on the task ahead.

A focused APBT will likely not notice any touch to any part of it's body as long as it's totally focused on the other animal. If it's not, there is a chance they will transfer their focus to the other sensations. Use caution and watch the dogs heads for any switch ups.

Arrange the dogs so they are as face to face as possible and both are standing. Using your hands hooked around their upper rear leg into the belly area, pull them into line as far as their holds will allow. It's possible that while your doing this they may try to switch holds, keep a watch for it, if they do it at the same time you can quickly snatch them up with no need for parting sticks but you must stop pulling if either dog regains a grip or you'll likely create more damage.

If you need to use the parting sticks you maneuver your self over the back end of the dog and you both, grabbing tightly, scruff each dog, at the same time, lift the dogs back end and tighten your knees around the dogs hips. This should allow you total control of both dogs at the same time. Lifting the back end up removes the driving force behind the bite (they push into a bite with their whole body).

Once you both have control, you use the parting stick to seperate their holds. You must be prepared for having one dog with no hold and one still with. Make sure you have TOTAL control of the dog out of the bite as only you can assure that it doesn't bite your helper in it's drive to get back to the other dog.

Be Ready, as soon as the other dogs bite is worked loose you both must lift the dogs front end up and to opposite sides by the scruff hold and spin away from each other to prevent them from getting close to each other again.

Seperate the dogs, crate them, and get that drink you so desperately need to stop your knees from shaking and your lunch from coming up.
OK, make that two drinks...

I've, unfortunately, have had to do this. It's not something for the fearful or fainthearted. It's also not reccomended for other breeds.

Would you believe, that nearly every dog fight that I've had to deal with has been at a rescue or boarding facility? Volunteer walkers at the SPCA were some of the worst... The absolute worst case was by employees that should have known better, 5 huskys in an outdoor run together fighting over a cooling hole....

[Kolovorotkes]

I just started fostering with a local rescue and they recommended keeping a squirt bottle filled with vinegar to squirt on the dogs when they are fighting. It stuns them apparently and gives you a chance to step in and break it up. Anyone hear of this technique?

[AllAdobeOEMSoftDownload]

Nah you'll just end up with wet dogs that smell like vinegar... invest in a break stick and learn to use it is your best bet.... well basically your best bet is to keep the dogs separated.... a break stick being your second best bet

I just started fostering with a local rescue and they recommended keeping a squirt bottle filled with vinegar to squirt on the dogs when they are fighting. It stuns them apparently and gives you a chance to step in and break it up. Anyone hear of this technique?

[darieBarexish]

The only way i can see the vinegar working/helping is if you squirt it into their eyes or directly into their nose (might make them gasp and possibly let go) or if you can get it into their mouth.
Just squirting it ON them is pointless.

[RooldpalApata]

I just started fostering with a local rescue and they recommended keeping a squirt bottle filled with vinegar to squirt on the dogs when they are fighting. It stuns them apparently and gives you a chance to step in and break it up. Anyone hear of this technique?

surely people " rescuing " dogs should have a little bit more knowledge on them.....
squirting vinegar on 2 fighting apbt,s would be about as much use as a chocolate fireguard !!
get some breaksticks and learn how to use them.

[EjPWyPm4]

surely people " rescuing " dogs should have a little bit more knowledge on them.....

LOL, yeah you'd think so, but sadly that's not the case.