How to break up a dog fight
No one ever wants to be in a situation where separating two fighting dogs is necessary but, occasionally a dog fight breaks out and it is crucial that you know the best way to respond. Now, I have said numerous times that I am not an aggression expert or specialist of any kind. I don’t have any experience in working with aggressive dogs, either towards people or other dogs. But, I have had the experience of having to break up a dog fight. The following will teach you how to break up a dog fight, if you must do so.
Let me start by saying the number one rule is NEVER try to separate the dogs by putting your hands in the middle of the fight. One too many people, even the dog’s owners, have attempted to break up a fight this way only to end up in the ER with serious injuries. If two dogs are fighting, even if they are your own pets, they are in a zone packed full of adrenaline and will bite anything in their way, including your hands, legs, arms, face, etc. They don’t realize they are biting you; they are simply reacting and biting anything they encounter. Please, please don’t try to break up a fight using physical force. The dogs will win every time.
The only safe way I know to break up a dog fight involves two capable adults, especially if the dogs are big. I have heard theories on spraying them with hoses, hitting them with sticks and/or yelling to stop the fighting. If the dogs are intent on killing one another, these techniques will not work and yelling, especially, will often times escalate the fight. Remaining calm and keeping your wits about you is golden rule number one!
So, if you find yourself in a situation where you must break up a dog fight, make sure you have another person with you. What you must do is each person get behind a dog. With one person behind each dog, simultaneously grab the dog by the hind legs and raise his hind legs up in the air (in a wheelbarrow position as if you were running a wheelbarrow race with your dog). Keeping a firm grasp on the dog’s legs, begin backing up. Instead of backing up in a straight line, however, back up in a large circle. What this will do is prevent the dog from turning around and biting you because they will be too busy trying to stay on their feet. If you just grab the hind legs and don’t move or back up in a straight line, you may find yourself the new target of the dog’s aggression as he whips around to bite you instead. Remember that when a dog is in the zone of attack, he does not register that you are his owner or that he shouldn’t bite you. His inhibitions are gone and he may assume you are another dog getting in on the fight. So, back up slowly and in a wide circle to keep the dog’s feet moving under him and slightly sideways so that he begins to focus on keeping his footing.
After the two dogs have been separated, immediately put one or both dogs into separate areas, ideally separate crates, so that you can assess the damage. Remember, too, that if a dog is injured, he may not be the sweet, submissive pet you’ve always known. Often times, a dog will be stressed from the fight and from any injuries they may have sustained and it is wise to use caution when examining them in order to prevent any bites out of fear or pain from the dog.
Dog fights can be very unnerving and, if you’re caught off guard, can lead to more serious problems. Keep as calm as possible and follow the wheelbarrow technique and get the dogs separated as quickly as possible. Hopefully, injuries will be minor on everyone’s account, especially yours!
CLICK ON THE BELOW VIDEO to show how even puppies at 8 weeks old can become very aggressive.
Dog aggression at 8 weeks of age
Video courtesy of Leerburg.com
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Did Ruth grab her gently or roughly? Did Hope yip out of pain at all? When you say "attack", what do you mean exactly? Is there any growling involved, stiff body posture, hackles (hair on back of neck) standing up? What did Ruth do that made you think she got "really mad"? It's hard for me to say without having seen the incidents or any incidents prior. If you feel as though the interaction was aggressive, it probably was.
I, unfortunately, don't know much about aggression. I do know that Hope isn't helping the situation by snapping back. It sounds like it could be a dominance issue as height, in the dog world, is a factor that helps establish heirarchy within a pack. So, when Hope was on her owner's lap, she was above Ruth and therefore was communicating to Ruth that she was in charge. The fact that she jumped down and nipped her foot tells me that she wants to get the last "word" and show she's in charge. Ruth, more than likely, wants to be in charge too and so she takes opportunities to try to establish herself as dominant (ie: grabbing Hope and trying to drag her off the chair).
I think you need to work on establishing yourselves as pack leaders so that the dogs don't feel the need to take charge. I don't know if that will fix your problem or not, but it certainly couldn't hurt. I will attach the link to the article on establishing yourself as pack leader.
http://registered.dogclassonline.com/index.php/Puppy-Obedience-Training/how-to-become-a-dog-pack-leader.html
I also think you may want to have a trainer in your area come in and evaluate their interactions to see if there is any aggression or just rough play. Some large dog to small dog interaction can seem aggressive as the bigger dog forcefully moves the smaller dog around at will, but may not be aggression. When I first read your email, I immediately felt that Hope was in danger but as I reread it, it could be that the situation is not as bad as it seems.
Definitely have someone who trains dogs in your area evaluate their interactions on their own property or I could maybe clarify for you if you took a video and emailed it to me or posted it on the site.
Let me know more specifics and what you decide to do.
Sorry I can't be of more help right now..
Carrie
The only problem I'm having right now is that Ruth every once in awhile attacks my roommates dog who is a toy poodle. It's upsetting because there is no warning and Ruth is so much bigger then Hope that just Ruth's shear size can hurt Hope. Yesterday, Hope was on her mom's lap and we were sitting by the pool. Ruth came over and sniffed Hope's rear and then like a light bulb - both of us saw it - Ruth's eyes changed and she grabbed Hope in her mouth and was about to haul her off. Deena managed to pull Ruth away, Hope jumped down and bit Ruth's paw and then Ruth really got mad but by then I had ahold of her.
We can't figure out if Ruth wants to play with Hope - they do seem to have a fixation on each other - just wanted her off Deena's lap, or wants to eat her.
