How to separate fighting dogs

 Often dog owners are confused and don’t know what to do if their pet gets into a fight with another dog. However, it is important to know how to separate fighting dogs safely and with the least possible casualties on the part of the belligerents. 

Of course, the best way is to do your best to avoid a fight. Take the dog on a leash in time if there is even the slightest suspicion that acquaintance with another dog may end in a battle.

If you suddenly encountered another dog, not seeing a potential enemy in it, and your dog is without a leash, you should not panic and run to the dogs. Slowly begin to disperse yourself and recall the dogs. Act smoothly, do not make unnecessary movements. If the dogs are not too pugnacious, there is a chance to disperse.

There are several ways to separate fighting dogs. Choosing the right one depends on your physical strength, capabilities and situation.

• At the same time, grab the fighting dogs by the hind legs and turn them over onto their backs. Both owners must act, and harmoniously.
• Grab both dogs by the collars at the same time and induce strangulation by twisting.
• At the same time, take the dogs by the skin on the neck and lift them up. But at the same time, you need to keep the weight of the dog on the outstretched arm, so with a large dog this method is difficult.
• Place a wooden wedge between the dog’s teeth and turn, opening the jaws.
• At the same time grab the dogs by the skin in the groin area. But this is very painful, so you need to be prepared to avoid a bite (in excitement, the dog can turn around and bite the owner).
• Insert a wooden stick between the dog’s teeth and press on the root of the tongue. The resulting gag reflex will cause the jaws to open.
• Pour water over the dogs.
• Put something on the head of one of the dogs. The fight may stop because the dog does not see the bared mouth of the opponent (there is no key stimulus).
• Put a shield between the dogs – at least a piece of thick cardboard. But the shield must be larger than the dog.
• A dog that wins can be grabbed by its hind legs and pushed a little forward – the dog will usually open its jaws to make the interception, at which point it can be pulled.

If the dog tries to bite you, move in the opposite direction. That is, if the dog turns its head to the right, retreat to the left, and vice versa.

If you are acting alone, you need to fix one dog and try to pull the other.

It is advisable to first grab the stronger dog – there is a chance that a weaker opponent will not resume the fight, but will try to retreat.

If your dog is on a leash and attacked by another dog, and the strength is about equal, it is better to let go of the leash to give your dog a chance to defend himself and protect himself from injury, and then take it away. If your dog is weaker, it is better not to let go of the leash, but instead try to drive away the other dog.

The main thing is to act as safely as possible for yourself and non-traumatic for dogs.

Beating dogs, separating them, is not allowed!

Firstly, it is dangerous: you can injure the dog if, for example, you hit the stomach and damage the internal organs.

Secondly, it is counterproductive: dogs in excitement can begin to fight even more actively.

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