The dog was the first animal to be domesticated by man, more than15,000 years ago. The ties between humans and canines are so linked that there are theories that they were not only shaped by our hand but human development was possible only because of our partnership.
So for humans, it becomes easy to forget that not too deep inside dogs are still animals ruled by basic instincts.
Dog-fights are more common than we would like to think. Even well-tempered, social dogs can get into a heated discussion with a second one.
Thankfully, in most cases it is just that: a very loud, very dramatic display of power, with barely any scratches to show for it.
However, there are occasions when the fight becomes serious—stitches, emergency surgery, and even fatalities.
No matter how bad it may seem, people have to understand that a dog, speaking in general terms, has a better chance of getting out of the altercation with less damage and faster recovery than will a human. Human intervention sometimes can even worsen the outcome for the animal!
In the middle of a fight, instinct prevails, and even your sweet dog might not think twice about sinking his teeth into your hand.
It is better to not try to separate dogs during a fight unless you are very experienced, and even then, there are techniques and safety measures you can follow to decrease your risks.
Understand that even if you apply this advice correctly there is still a big chance of getting seriously hurt when getting in the middle of a dog-fight.
That said, information can be your savior.
Do NOT: Reach for the collars, this is the first thing most people think to do and the fastest way of getting bitten.
Do NOT: Use your body to try to break up an ongoing fight.
Do NOT: Try to pick up any of the dogs in your arms, as you reach down you are exposing your face and head and as you pick the animal up you are making him look more like prey.
Do NOT: Scream at the dogs. You might want to yell for help, but screaming at the dogs just adds to the chaos.
There are some things you can do depending on the intensity of the fight.
Use water! A hose, a bucket full, or even pushing the fight into the pool would sometimes break it up.
Use a barrier, a chair, a garbage can lid, or even a door, to try to separate them.
Be prepared, white vinegar in a spray bottle will sting the eyes and the membranes of the nose but it wont hurt the dogs in the long-run. Similarly you can also use citronella spray.
A CO2 fire extinguisher right at their face would startle them and deprive them of oxygen for a moment but it wont hurt them and it works very well in most cases.
And in very intense fights or when a person is under a vicious attack pepper spray and even a stun gun might do less damage than the alternative.
A more involved approach consists in having a person grab each dog by either the base of their tails or their hind legs near the body. Pull them up and away in a continuous zig-zag motion until they have cooled completely. The reasoning for the zig-zagging is to avoid the animals curling up and biting at the person pulling them away.
If possible confine the animals in different spaces, if not they will try to resume the fight the moment they are let free.
You can still use this technique if you are alone. The trick relies on a rapid assessment of the situation, if you can identify the aggressor, or at least the one dog that is on top at the moment, that is the one that to grab first.
In general the other dog will appreciate the help and will not follow you. If you are not that lucky, then attach the first dog to a fence or a tree, turn around and do the same to the second one. More than two? Rinse and repeat.
Dog bites are extremely dangerous, especially to humans. We are not naturally equipped to withstand a “mano a mano” encounter with their internal wild beasts. Even very small dogs can cause a lot of damage.
Be safe, practice prevention first, and if you find yourself in the middle of it maximize your chances by keeping a clear head and doing some quick thinking before acting.
Yaiza Magdalena is certified as a dog trainer from the Animal Behavioral College, is a member of the world renowned International Association of Canine Professionals, has worked as a Zookeeper and in the development of programs for the Great Apes in the behavioral enrichment department. Yaiza has become the proud Owner of California K-9 Academy. Contact Yaiza at yaiza@californiak9.com
