You must learn how to protect your dog from potential dog fights. Otherwise, you could permanently damage your dog while trying to break up a fight, or you could bleed your beloved companion to death because you can’t break it up.

The horrifying possibilities go on and on. But all of them will bring us that much closer to being informed.
This article will provide you all the information you need.

Things That Can Cause Dog Fights

We cannot prevent properly what we do not know. We cannot know something without understanding its causes.
So it is wise to break down a topic into causes. So we will be able to stop a dog fight.

Here are some of the mistakes that can lead to dog fights:

Manipulation Mistakes of the Owner

1. Incorrect and inappropriate use of equipment.
2. The leash breaks.
3. Leash coming off the neck.
4. Leash escaping from the hand.
5. Bringing together dogs that cannot get along with each other. (especially dogs of the same sex, sexually mature and not neutered.)
6. Introducing a leashed dog to another dog in an uncomfortable way.
7. Failing to skillfully manage the walk.

Training and Raising Mistakes of the Owner

1. Lack of socialization training given to dogs from puppyhood.
2. Education style to trigger stress and fear.
3. Trauma-based aggression character.
4. Inadequate exercise.
5. Deficient housing conditions.
6. False protection training

Dog-related Causes

1. Genetic and breed-based predispositions
2. Maternal instinct
3. Hypersensitivity to external factors

It is necessary to avoid these situations may lead to any dog fight and compensate for those that are compensable.

Compensable Causes

In the rest of our article, we have included sub-headings for the reasons we think are compensable. And we have compiled the measures that can be taken.

Incorrect and Inappropriate Use of Equipment

To avoid the collar-related problems mentioned earlier, you should use sturdy collars that are not prone to rotting. (In this context, an H-type collar is ideal for harnesses and a collar that fits the neck is ideal for neck collars. Agitation harness-type harnesses, for example, allow dogs to break free with a sudden backward lunge).

Leash Escaping from the Hand

There are some simple tactics that can be used to prevent dog fights after the leash has gotten out of hand, in short, to prevent the dog from escaping. One of the most popular and common is to wrap the leash around the wrist. You can use this simple tactic, taking care to avoid gangrene.

Hypersensitivity to External Factors

Whether or not your dog is hypersensitive to external factors, you should be as sensitive as possible to the elements that can provoke your dog. It is important to keep yourself alert for this. If possible, don’t go out when you are sleep deprived and choose safe, low-stimulus routes for your walks when you are distracted.

Bringing Together Dogs that Cannot Get Along with Each Other

In the previous list, we noted (Especially dogs of the same sex, sexually mature and not neutered). This may need to be worded better. Do not leave sexually competitive dogs alone in the same environment, and even if they are not alone, do not leave them in the same environment if possible. Sexual competition can lead to a dog fight to the death.

In the same way, you should not leave dogs with size differences that you are not already convinced that they get along very well alone in the same environment. As there are no guarantees, even if they get along very well or you believe that they are very well behaved, you should not leave them uncontrolled. Because the consequences can be like in the video below.

The reason why we take such a pro-security position is that animals don’t have as sharp and clear boundaries as we do. This is good to keep in mind.

Introducing a Leashed Dog to Another dog in an Uncomfortable Way

If you’ve ever witnessed the blood sport of these human waste taking their dogs to their deaths, you know that these thugs pull the dogs’ leashes back and forth in a way that makes them uncomfortable in order to turn them against each other and make them even angrier. Occasionally, well-meaning people accidentally have a similar effect on their dogs. Be careful in this regard. Dogs project the pain and discomfort they feel directly onto the dog they are angry to and it can lead the dog fight be more dangerous.

Failing to Skillfully Manage the Walk

On your walks, you may occasionally encounter herds of stray dogs. At such times it is best to change your path. You should also observe the body language between your own dog and the pet dog on a leash. If your dog or the other dog suddenly stops and stares at the other for a few seconds, this can be a clear sign of potential dog fight.

How to STOP a Dog Fight If We Cannot Prevent It?

Let’s say that for one or more of these reasons an unavoidable fight breaks out and the dogs attempt to take each other’s lives. I don’t know about you, but the popular reactions are as follows.

Popular and Wrong Dog Fight Stopping Attempts

1. Kicking

If you expect me to say something cartoonish like “This is violent and should not be applied to dogs even if the case is a dog fight”, you are wrong. I am a rational person who thinks it is wise to inflict small harms in order to avoid big harms, and that is why I do not recommend kicking. The reason for this is quite simple. It doesn’t work!

The more you kick the dog, the more the dog feels the pain, the more it gets angry with the other dog it is fighting and the more violent the fight becomes. Not only does it not work, it can cause unwanted permanent damage to the dog such as rib fractures and paralysis. Therefore, do not kick dogs.

2. Separation by Neck and Mouth

Separating the mouth and neck area is physically smart, but when it comes to dog fighting, the theory is not just about physics.
There is a dynamic we call “Redirected Aggression”. You can liken it to this familiar fiction;

a fight breaks out between two people, the fight is tried to be broken up by other people. One of the parties gives the poor fellow who is trying to break it up a holy smack.

If you try to separate from this area, you may also suffer from “Redirected Aggression”. So don’t do that either.

3. Wetting

Yeah, our first choice for breaking up a fight is a distraction. Yeah, soaking seems like a good way to do that. But, uh it’s not. That’s not an effective way either, unfortunately, and you’re not going to have water everywhere anyway, are you?

Best Ways to End a Fight

These are the suggested ways of end a dog fight.

1. AIRHORN.

The air horn is something you can carry in a small backpack, in a cyclist’s bag. The extremely loud and distracting sounds they make are very similar to car horns, which dogs are familiar with and have a learned reflex. The air horns are much more effective before a dog fight, but during a fight, the dogs can end the fight in an instant due to the sudden sound of these tubes being pressed, I recommend to use a air horn.

2. Pulling from the Tail

In a situation where both dogs are domesticated and communication with the other owner is good, it is very good to pull by the tail. The dogs will no longer be able to bite each other and will be distracted because the tail area is sensitive.

3. Intervening in the Groin Area

It’s quite a distraction to intervene in the groin. So we can end the fight. Because dogs, like all animals, are very sensitive about their breeding grounds.

Quick Q&A

As a Result

As a result, it is essential for dog owners to be alert and proactive to prevent potential dog fights. By understanding the underlying causes, such as manipulation mistakes, training mistakes and owners can reduce risks and create safer environments for their pets.

Using appropriate equipment, such as sturdy collars and leashes, and avoiding situations that can trigger aggression, such as introducing incompatible dogs, are critical measures. Dog owners should also pay attention to their dogs’ behavior and surroundings during walks, quickly changing paths if necessary to avoid conflicts.

In the unfortunate dog fight where a fight occurs, using effective intervention methods, such as using an air horn or carefully pulling on the tail, can quickly defuse the situation and prevent serious harm to both dogs. In conclusion, it is crucial to put a priority on proactive prevention and use humane and effective intervention strategies to protect the well-being of both canine companions and their owners.

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