Dogs Fight: Injuries from dog fights are a common reason for veterinary visits. Injuries can range from minor to fatal.
If your dog is involved in a fight, always take a veterinary examination, even if the injuries seem minor.
Bite wounds and lashes are more likely to be infected and harder to find under the hair.
Wounds that appear only as normal puncture wounds cause deep damage and tear the tissues under the skin.
Why do dogs fight?
Dogs can fight for many reasons. Dogs that live or are in contact can also fight. Unfortunately, some fighting dogs do not stop fighting until an injury has occurred, resulting in a dog falling backwards.
However, some triggers can be easily identified and avoided. Multiple dogs of the same sex living in the same house (all females or males) are at higher risk for fighting.
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This is due to the constant desire to continue the hierarchy.
There is a separate hierarchy for males and females inside a pack in the forest, so it is possible to maintain harmony as both males and females maintain their own “top dog” status together in the same house.
The risk of fights between related dogs is not low compared to unrelated dogs; Family members may fight with each other after young pups reach adolescence.
Fighting risk is increased in dogs that are spayed and neutered.
Food and toys are common triggers for fights. We all want what we don’t have, including dogs. Most dogs are naturally aggressive in their possessions such as chewing bones, food and fancy toys.
Do not feed two dogs at the same time.
When a dog finishes his meal, he may decide to eat someone else’s food or even protect the food bowl from being eaten. It is very safe to play with multiple dogs in front of the room or even in different rooms.
If your dog is concerned about food, it is beneficial not to place food bowls on the floor.
As soon as the meal is over, take out the dishes, wash and store without access to the dog until the next meal.
Bones and chewing toys are other highly desired items. Most dogs store and have bones and chewing toys. It is also dangerous for people to take bones from certain dogs.
If you have a dog that exhibits possessive behavior, all bones and chewing toys should be removed from the home.
If you ever need to remove a bone or toy from a dog, never use your hand. Attempt to distract the dog with another toy, treat or other object thrown at the food item.
You can try to change the dog’s mindset by saying, “Let’s go/walk / get in the car” or stimulate the dog.
Then take the dog to another room or restrain it on the leash while removing the toy.
In some neighborhoods fights such as dog parks, family vacations or boarding in nearby areas are more likely to start.
In the dog park, many dogs are strangers to each other. When in this environment, they are running, chasing, and excited.
It is easy for a group of dogs to run together and form a “pack mentality” that promotes aggression.
The dogs at the dog park do not have a hierarchy and if multiple dogs are running for a single frisbee or ball, the excitement can easily get out of hand.
In addition, some dogs are a protection to their owners and the dog park is a threatening place, so he or she wants to keep everyone away from “his” or “her” owner. If your dog park is busy, go off-hours or other off-peak hours.
Family vacations mean many people and multiple dogs who do not know each other in the same house.
This is a major cause of dog fighting injuries during the holidays. When many new people and dogs come to the dog house, the dog that usually lives in the house comes under threat and possession, even though he or she is usually a very quiet dog.
New dogs represent “his” or “her” toys and new threats to food. Similarly, the visitor dog may try to dominate their new surroundings.
Just as family vacations can be stressful for people, they can also create a stressful environment for dogs, which is something dog owners need to be aware of.
When visiting, always keep in mind that your pet needs some time in his or her own room or kennel. Remember what your pet thinks is “theirs” and remove these items before the company arrives.
How to stop dogfighting
Never use your body to stop a fight! While the dogs were fighting, Instinct and Drive took over. You can easily bite if you try to pull two dogs apart or separate them from your body.
Never kick a dog because turning and biting their foot can be their usual reaction.
Your reaction is to stop the fight by doing something. However, there is a risk that you will be bitten by physical interference in the dog fight.
Dog bites can sometime land us on legal action and costs associated with treating a bite wound at a human ER or emergency care clinic.
Complications from Dog fights and bite wounds can lead to severe pain and infection and permanent tissue damage, sometimes even requiring plastic surgery.
Instead of using your body to stop the fight, separate the dogs and spray the water on the dogs with a broom or chair or water hose to stop the fight. Try to make a loud noise like knocking on the door.
However, do not yell at dogs; Your enthusiasm will increase the dog’s enthusiasm and increase the fight.
Once the dogs have been separated, keep them apart for several hours in different rooms and always seek veterinary care.
Make a lot of noise to control Dogs fight
The sound of wind horns or car horns can be as loud as fighting dogs pulling you out of it. It is less likely to operate in extreme combat.
Screaming and yelling at dogs rarely works and usually has the opposite effect of intensifying the fight.
Use objects strategically
Sometimes you can use the objects at hand to break the fight.
Throwing a huge blanket over fighting dogs will distract their attention in an instant and help end the fight. This will give you the opportunity to separate the dogs more safely.
Opening a long automatic umbrella between two fighting dogs is sometimes a successful method. You need to make sure your arms are long enough to stay out of the dog’s mouth.
You can try to place items such as chairs or laundry baskets on top of the dogs.
At the very least distraction can give owners the opportunity to safely remove their dogs from the fight. However, unlike many other methods that are generally advised, they usually do not work well in extreme combat situations.
How to prevent dog fighting
- Always keep an eye on your dogs.
- Feed multiple dogs separately in one house.
- Run when the dogs are outside.
- Avoid common dog parks if you have a dog that is agressive. Also, keep in mind that not everyone in the dog park will have the same observation, and even a quiet dog can take part in the fight.
- Especially keep the desired toys unavailable.
- If possible, when adding a new dog to your family, choose the opposite sex to the existing dog.
- Take care of visiting family and dogs and make some time for all the dogs.
Talk to your family veterinarian about options for referral to a specialist.
Keep in mind that with basic obedience training, dogs learn to listen well to owners, and as aggression increases before a fight, the owner can stop it by giving the dog alternative directions and changing the focus.