Dog fights can be very scary when they happen. Our usual instinct is to scream and run into the fight hands-first to pull the dogs apart. But doing so could lead to severe injuries to both yourself or further injury to the dogs involved. Breeds such as the various Pit Bulls, the Cane Corso, and Dogo Argentino were bred for fighting and (very sadly) were used for dog-fighting. As a result, these breeds are predisposed to aggression if not well socialized or trained as puppies. Spray citronella spray directly into the nose and mouth of the biting dog. The smell and taste can get them to release their bite. When they release the bite, immediately move the dogs away from each other, staying in control position until they are secured. Mild abrasions can be treated at home as long as you follow proper wound care. If the area doesn't begin to show improvement within a couple of days or worsens (becomes painful, swollen, warm, or moist). If the dog appears to be in pain, even with no obvious physical wounds or has issues breathing, seek immediate veterinary care. Determine which dog is the aggressor and which one is the victim. If you break the bite of the aggressor, the situation will begin to alleviate itself.

If you want to have a dog fight kit handy at home or at your place of work, here's a list of items to get your kit started. How to Break Up a Dog Fight: Hands-Off Techniques Do not put yourself between the fighting dogs. If you do, you are basically asking to have the bites redirected towards you and risk being severely injured. The best way to handle a dog that likes to fight is to be proactive and train them to handle themselves better. A friend who is in the police force said what I should have done was grab the collar and twist it, otherwise pulling it off like I did could have meant the other dog had a mouthful of my dog when I pulled which would have meant a much more severe wound. Some breeds of dogs are more predisposed to biting than others, but this doesn’t mean an individual dog will. What matters the most is the dog’s upbringing and training. As such, even the most aggressive dog breed can act ideally given the proper treatment.

FAQ & Answers

Dog fights that happen out of sight depend on whatever key evidence can be gathered to determine fault. That being said, as much as many out there don’t want to admit it, there are dog breeds that were bred for fighting or aggressive protection purpose.

Worst-case scenarios do happen, and although I do not condone the use of force on a dog, there are situations where it becomes life or death. If this is one of those instances, you need to cause injury or stun the aggressor dog.I also like to use citronella spray for these fights – it’s easier to aim, meaning you won’t scare the crap out of the rest of the dogs in the vicinity! Bite gloves (see a variety of bite gloves available through ACES – I personally use the Humaniac™ V-Pro Animal Handling gloves because of the dexterity it allows me). Carabiner for attaching leashes to fences or around posts. I keep one attached to my dog's leash handle or clipped on my treat pouch belt.

Webinar: "When Sh*t Hits the Fan: Emergency Defensive Dog Handling with Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan If the dog bites a person, the law is strict. The dog owner is legally responsible. Depending on the severity of the bite, criminal charges may be pressed. Otherwise, it’s usually a legal obligation to pay for medical expenses and report the bite. Dogs teeth and jaws are so strong that they can easily cause serious injury to you if you try to intervene at the wrong times. These fights can often be broken up by making a loud noise, using water or citronella spray, or by physically separating the two dogs. In the control position, you have control over the dog's body with your legs and of their head with your hands. This helps prevent redirected bites to yourself and makes it difficult for a dog to attempt further bites to the other dog once separated.When a dog bites another dog, the waters can get a little bit murkier. A lot of dog fights tend to appear sudden in nature, so the location as to where the fight occurred tends to be pretty important in legal proceedings. Be sure not to put your hands or feet between the dogs – get an inanimate object to take the blows instead! This is really, really important. Many very serious dog bites happen when people rush in to break up a dog fight without thinking. As Preventive Vet's dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.