What not to do after a dog fight?
Jamel VonRueden
2025-06-26 15:37:46
Count answers: 14
Do not panic. When we panic, our emotions run high and we do not think straight. It does not help the situation. Separate the dogs and give them and yourself a break to calm down after any aggressive altercation.
Do not use punishment. Using punishment as a training strategy with dogs who have recently had a dog fight is likely to only make the dogs MORE tense around each other. If your dogs recently had a fight and you want to learn some training skills to help them, seek out resources or individual support from a positive reinforcement dog trainer or behavior consultant.
Do not repeat the scenario that caused the dog fight. If you know the situation that the dogs were in exactly when the fight happened, in most cases it is going to be recommended to change the dogs' routine and environment to avoid putting them in that situation again. Because if this situation caused a dog fight once, it will likely cause a fight again. Whatever the "perfect storm" of factors was that caused the dogs to have conflict, we want to do our best to avoid that in the future. For example, if your dogs got into a fight over the excitement of food prep at dinner time, then put the dogs in separate places BEFORE you start the dinner prep process in the future.
Pete Brakus
2025-06-26 15:26:07
Count answers: 13
Don't wait until a fight to think about how to break it up. Panic will do to a fight what gasoline does to fire - intensify it quickly. Don't: Panic or yell. Don't hit, punch, or yell. It usually makes it worse. Don't: I don’t suggest grabbing the back of the collar or reaching in with your hands but I have done it. This is how most people get bit during a dog fight. Don't isolate the dogs from one another. If you don't get the dogs back together after a fight a bit of scar tissue develops in their mind, and in your emotions. Don't: Wait. If there are injuries - you need to get them help.
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