How do you break up a dog fight?

[Bensam]

I see that Hobbitt backed up my statement that bitches fighting were worse than dogs and then so many agreed with Hobbit. I don't think anyone can say that some things do not work. We have all had different experiences and with different breeds, so if you know your dog/breed you will be more likely to have the correct method to deal with most things, including fighting.

[bk_blue]

Hobbit napisał(a):

Male dogs usually do lots of posturing, chest bumping, name calling, making faces, circling, tails up, ears up, head up, very rigid appearance.

Sorry if I sound like a bimbo but how do they go about calling each other names? :-?

[corgilady]

:lol: BK silly, don't you speak dog? <JOKING>

Bensam, you're right, we all have our own experiences... some things work with some dogs.... I have tried the water hose for example and it didn't phase them.

I'm glad this topic is here because mine are STILL FIGHTING and I am not happy about it. I followed everyone's directions about letting them know that I am alpha, alpha, alpha but they do not care when they feel like fighting.
Last weekend my friend was here visiting, HER dogs of course act like little ladies. MIne usually only get into a tussle when there is FOOD present and when they are CONFINED IN THE KITCHEN (both of these things at the same time). But Koda fell in love with my friend, rolled all over her the whole evening, so he & toby got in this huge argument. Next thing you know, the fur was flying. I didn't want to let them hurt one another, and she was just standing back with this horrified look on her face. So I got the broom and kind of hit/pushed toby with the bristle part; sort of "herded" him away from Koda with it. Koda ran under the table, as he hates the broom, and Toby laid down at my feet, but still growled for a long time. ( he was calling Koda a son of a gun, BK)

It is very upsetting to me that my dogs fight at ALL. I try to give them all individual attention, and I have even been separating them some. Also, it was embarrassing to me that my friend saw me take a broom to my dog. :oops: So, keep talking folks. I'll make a list. Then, the next time they fight, I will get out my list and read it to them. :wink:

whoops sorry. there i go again mucking up a serious post.

[Horsefeathers!]

I have a seriously dog aggressive Pit Bull/Boxer mix (some of you have seen me mention her... Penny). Not seriously in the sense that she is always out for trouble. Most of the time she's pretty cool and she gets along with everyone ok (as long as there is not food, affection, or sleep involved). I mean seriously in the sense that if and when she goes at another dog, she intends to kill that dog. There is no posturing and bluffing and very little warning other than knowing the particular things that are likely to make her want to attack. It is crucial that we keep her under tight control and try to prevent these attacks (she is on medication which does help control the ferocity of her attacks).

However, on those occasions where she "snaps" seemingly out of nowhere, it is of utmost importance that I get her off her victim. I'm not one to go around breaking up serious dog fights (hubby got 6 stitches in his hand once doing that), but I can't have her killing my other dogs. I never really thought about what I do with her until this thread came up. Those few times I've had to react, I just dive on her back, football style(American... not that soccer stuff... I mean a full body tackle) and get her in a headlock at the same time, rendering her immobile. I wouldn't advocate anyone else doing this and, really, just typing this out, it sounds really stupid, but it's just what my gut reaction is. At the time, I don't have time to hunt for something to throw at/on her, so I throw me on her. Has worked great so far because once I break that "concentration," she does not dare challenge me.

Still, prevention is the best thing. Since we've had her on medication and started taking these attacks seriously, she is NEVER left unsupervised with my other dogs and when she is ready to doze off, she goes into her crate. Some of the most volatile attacks were when other dogs inadvertantly blundered into her while she slept.

Just a side note... I don't ever worry about breaking up scuffles. Most of the "brawls" around here are minor things. Posturing, grumbling and maybe some rushing. If there is no actual bloodshed involved, I usually watch closely, but let them sort it out (except for Penny, obviously). My Lab and my Schnauzer absolutely hate each other and spend their days around here screaming and charging at each other, but so far, it hasn't been serious enough for me to intervene. Actually, I wish Tucker (Lab) would just grab this little aggraving Schnauzer (Simon) one good time and shake the crap out of him. Then maybe this little instigating devil would leave him alone (Simon always intentionally antagonizes Tucker just to get him going... would never dare do that with Penny, or any other dog that physically challenges him). I think Simon just needs to get his butt whooped one good time. :o

[Aroura]

Just to clear up how Tessa got the present in her possetion (for those who asked), I gave it to Lily and tried to make her interested in it. Tessa knew what it was (she loves pressie time!) and so wanted to get to it. Lily showed absolutly no interest in it and came to me for a cuddle, so Claire (my sister) let Tessa go to the present. Straight away, no warning what so ever, Lily just up'd and into'd Tessa. It wasn't just a little scruff, and I just assumed that if I grabbed Lily's hind quarters someone else would grab Tessa's. Of course no one did and so Tessa continued to loose the fight, even though she was the one free to back out she just kept at it.
They've been in little tiffs before over bones and stuff, which Tessa always won and nothing became of it. Now Lily thinks she's dominant, and its causing real problems... I'll make another post on that.
I've always been looking forward to my little baby growing up... but not like this :(

[Hobbit]

bk_blue napisał(a):

Hobbit napisał(a):

Male dogs usually do lots of posturing, chest bumping, name calling, making faces, circling, tails up, ears up, head up, very rigid appearance.

Sorry if I sound like a bimbo but how do they go about calling each other names? :-?

bk -- I love ya! As I sit here, I am trying not to pee my pants laughing (not at you, but with you). I was making a correlation between men and dogs. Name calling, gesturing, finger pointing ---- not really wanting to fight but putting on the show (as if they want to rip each other apart, but really don't want to spill their beer).

[bk_blue]

Thanks for clearing that up Hobbit... :oops: :lol:


Ok, so really name-calling is just all that showy stuff. Got it! :wink: