How to break up a dog fight

Everyone should know to break up a dog fight or remove a dog from biting someone/something for the safety of your dog, other dogs, animals and other people.

I’m sure you have seen one of the many videos on social media showing a dog fight where no one can get the dogs apart. It’s horrible to watch, I know. They often last minutes. Far longer than they should with more damaged being done every second. This is why I only recommend one way to remove a dog from biting something. A truly fool proof way that will work on every dog, unlike the crazy things that are often recommended.

The reason that I only recommend one way is because the time that you may lose by making multiple attempts could mean life or death. Some dogs won’t let go no matter how much physical pain you inflict on them. When in that “zone” it’s like they don’t hear, see or feel anything. Other dogs may not take much to break up, but I wouldn’t risk it. I would much rather do what I KNOW will work than gamble with a life.

Some things that are commonly recommended are pouring hot or cold water on the dogs, hitting them, sticking things in their mouth, picking them up, sticking something in the dogs butt (please don’t do this), and wheelbarrow which is where one person grabs the rear legs and lifts while another person grabs the other dog and they pull the dogs backwards at the same time. Like I said, some of these may work for certain dogs, but why risk it?

My recommendation is going to sound scary and you may even think I’m crazy or mean. A dog fight could mean death for one of those dogs. That means “extreme” actions are your best bet. I will do whatever I have to to keep my dog alive with all limbs/appendages attached.

One thing that no dog can go without is oxygen. They can’t continue to fight if they can’t breath, right? So that’s what we are going to do, prevent them from breathing until they let go and you can remove them from danger. To do that you will have to find something that you can put around the dogs neck. A leash, belt, collar, rope, anything that is sturdy. When you are out with your dog they are usually on leash, right? I hope so. Perfect thing to use. If your dog is the aggressor then remove the leash. You won’t have to worry about your dog running off right now. They are in fight mode.

Once you find something that you can safely use then you are going to put it around the dogs neck, just behind the ears (best place for control), tighten it to make sure it will stay there and then you need to lift straight up. Lift the dog off of their front feet and hold them up until they let go. It may take a minute or so and it will likely be tiring, especially if they are a large dog. DO NOT put them back on the ground the second that they let go. This may give them a chance to grab the other dog again. Once they let go then quickly pull them away from the area. That is when you can put the dog down. Don’t let go of them. Secure them to a fixed object like a fence, post, in your car, etc.

This technique works best with more than one person so each dog can be choked off at the same time. It’s safer that way. With one person, the other dog can continue the fight while one is being choked. If you are put in the position where it’s only you then check around you and yell if you see someone near. You could walk them through the steps so they can help. Another option is tying the less aggressive dog (not biting as much, trying to get away) to a fixed object and choking the aggressor off. This will keep one of the dogs secure to avoid another fight while you focus on the aggressor.

Remember these easy steps and you will greatly reduce the fight length and damage. Your dogs safely is the most important thing!