How to break up a dog fight

[Barton Bounty]

I recall many years ago my son's then girlfriend had two staffie X dogs. Lovely gentle friendly dogs. One day for some reason they got into a red mist fight, my son tried to (unwisely) prise them apart as the larger one had already pinned the smaller down and inflicted huge wounds on the smaller ones throat. He also got a very nasty bite himself on his lower arm, although he did succeed in removing the larger one and literally throwing it out into the garden. The dog then apparently ran off through the open gate.

His girlfriend put the injured one in the car and dropped my son off at the doctors on the way to the vet with the badly injured dog. On his way home heavily bandaged and a tetanus boost later, walking on the footpath he saw the big one running towards him but obviously totally lost the plot and no intention of being recalled, he was terrified it might attack someone or even another dog so he threw himself at the dog and managed to bring it to a halt - the Bl**dy dog bit his other hand, again very badly. But he managed to get his belt through its collar and take it home and shut it in a shed to await euthanasia. He walked back to the doctor and they could not believe within half an hour he was back again with the other side injured from the same dog.! It took him a good three weeks to be able to use both hands/arms again.

The vet came out and the bigger one was PTS out in the shed. The smaller one did eventually recover. My son is adamant now he would not try to stop a dog fight of any sort, and would let them fight to the death if necessary, and frankly I dont blame him.

That sounds like a really sore one! Having had a dog that bit my baby for no reason I totally understand but it still didnt put me off staffies ? I currently have two. They have only had two altercations in 12 years with each other … Thank goodness.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

That sounds like a really sore one! Having had a dog that bit my baby for no reason I totally understand but it still didnt put me off staffies ? I currently have two. They have only had two altercations in 12 years with each other … Thank goodness.

My post wasn't a criticism of the breed BB - I actually have never, ever met a nasty one, until this one. But up until that point he was a big softie so very sad all round really. It was just about how any dogs, even the softest most gentle family pets can flip out for no foreseeable reason, and what a dangerous situation it can be.

 

[Barton Bounty]

My post wasn't a criticism of the breed BB - I actually have never, ever met a nasty one, until this one. But up until that point he was a big softie so very sad all round really. It was just about how any dogs, even the softest most gentle family pets can flip out for no foreseeable reason, and what a dangerous situation it can be.

No no i know it wasnt ? I have seen a post before when you said you loved them.. and I have only come across my one Jake who was the biter! Every other one has been perfect.

My mum years ago had a shit zhu called Barney and one day he was on my lap for a snuggle and he leaned up I thought for a kiss! He bit my top lip ? wee arse of a dog, he was nasty after that! Growled whenever anyone walked into a room

 

[CorvusCorax]

My older two do not wear collars routinely but if I leave them anywhere they have a slip lead each and the young female has two collars as she is a runner and a jumper and a wiggler

Re vets vs doctors, foolhardy perhaps and whilst I want to be able to work, the NHS is cheaper than the vet.

 

[CorvusCorax]

And just a note, dogs' jaws do not lock, it is not physically possible, they can, however, clamp down on things and not want to let go (a crushing prey bite, extinguish breath/life) and obviously certain breeds are more inclined to do that and have greater bite pressure than others.

 

[rara007]

Honestly I’d be throwing things if a stern voice didn’t stop it, or possibly if leather boots and small dogs kicking. As terrible as it sounds I’m not getting bitten for a dogs, not even one of my own. I’ve seen enough dead or almost dead dogs from fights I know I’m not going to be getting close to a serious attack unless I can avoid it. No one wants Swiss cheese arms or legs or worse.

 

[AmyMay]

Honestly I’d be throwing things if a stern voice didn’t stop it, or possibly if leather boots and small dogs kicking. As terrible as it sounds I’m not getting bitten for a dogs, not even one of my own. I’ve seen enough dead or almost dead dogs from fights I know I’m not going to be getting close to a serious attack unless I can avoid it. No one wants Swiss cheese arms or legs or worse.

If my dog were getting attacked nothing would stop me from intervening.

 

[rara007]

Life is too short as it is! I’m no use to my other dogs dead or incapacitated. The usual ‘scraps’ shouting or something hitting one of them will usually break up, but I’m not getting my hands and by default face involved.

 

[CorvusCorax]

We all think we know what we would do/would want to do, sometimes circumstances dictate otherwise, all of this is only guidance.

(Edited as it made no sense )

 

[splashgirl45]

With my sensible head on I know it’s not good to intervene but if one of my dogs was being attacked my sensible head would disappear and angry head would come in . I know this because my small lurcher was attacked by a Rhodesian ridgeback and I got it off her and got bitten , some years later my collie was attacked by a Labrador and I went in again, didn’t get bitten this time but my poor dog did and had to take her to the vet ..I’m pretty sure if any of my current dogs were being attacked I would step in without thinking , I know not sensible… but …..

 

[SilverLinings]

Life is too short as it is! I’m no use to my other dogs dead or incapacitated. The usual ‘scraps’ shouting or something hitting one of them will usually break up, but I’m not getting my hands and by default face involved.

My stupid brain read that as 'decapitated' and I was wondering what kinds of horrific dog fights you'd witnessed

 

[maya2008]

When I was a child and we had a loose dog in the neighbourhood attacking other dogs, we were told to carry a water pistol. It worked. It was summertime though so I guess any leaks weren’t an issue!

I have used a dressage whip to stop a dog attacking my horse. That worked - safer from up there and not the ground though!

My friend just yells if her pack get out of hand. They stop instantly and slink off!

 

[ElvisandTilly]

Thankfully I’ve never had to separate a full on dog fight. We get squabbles with my 3 but all noise. I do take out with me a canister of anti bite in a holder that i can fasten in easy reach. Thankfully never had to use it but knowing it’s there helps reassure me. Link to spray

https://www.police-supplies.co.uk/k917-dog-deterrent-spray