Is it ever okay to hit or push your dog?

Question

There are times, my two dogs start going at it and they get vicious and start fighting. They never do it to me, but only to each other. I sometimes have to smack one of them and push them as hard as I can to get her to stop biting. They always fight for attention or a toy or a bone. I dont know how else to stop them, but I feel bad afterwards. How else can I get one off the other? I tried just holding them apart once, but I would either get a cut on my arm or they would bite me by mistake. I tried yelling, but its never enough! (This happens VERY rarely, like once every few months)

Answer 1

When mine gets that way (it's also rare) I will grab her by the back of her neck, force her to lay down, and then I roll her over on her back. That tells her that I am dominant. Works wonders. She immediately stops whatever she was doing wrong and doesn't go back to it.

Answer 2

Getting two dogs to stop fighting is very difficult. You don't mention what kind of dogs they are. Large or small, male or female, spayed or neutered.. Once dogs start fighting it is almost impossible to get them to stop. Especially if it is a attention thing. If it is a dominance thing, they may be able to work it out between themselves. Usually one will submit, before too much damage is done. Personally I wouldn't want to find out the hard way. I had two little Min Pins who fought all the time, but it was all noise, they never brought blood. However, if these dogs are large enough to actually hurt one another or you, you need to get something done now. Most states now days require all Doctors and Vets to report dog bites. You mentioned you sometimes get bit. If you should have to go to the Dr., by law they will report the incident and conviscate your dogs. They will keep them quarentined for 10 days at your expence. Even if you can prove they have had all their shots. Some states have even gone as far as making it manditory to put any dogs to sleep immediately if they bite above the sholders. Even if it is accidental while you are trying to break up a fight. More than likely you will need to find one of them another home. I know if you love them it will be hard, but eventually someone will be hurt or killed if you don't do something. Not to mention, the more they fight the more aggressive they become, this along with aging can really result in something disastrious happining. I've been a groomer/vet tech for 18 years and I have never seen anyone who was able to stop dogs from fighting once they have begun. You may be able to break up a few fights, but once the survival of the fittist rears it's ugly head, it's all over but they crying. Sometimes neutering helps with two male dogs, but not always. Please do something before you or one of the dogs gets hurt badly! Good luck.

Answer 3

It's better than letting them tear each other up. Don't feel bad - they don't hold it against you. If there is two people - it's risky but grab a tail and lift the hind legs slightly off the ground takes their power away -- but depending on the dog there is a chance of them ripping around and biting. They don't hear yelling when fighting.
I've heard a lot of "solutions" - spray water on them etc. I haven't found it to be effective. Remember to think like a dog - not a person. DOGS push each other. I don't think it's abusive to do a slap to get their attention in that situation. Under normal circumstances I don't think seriously hitting them accomplishes anything. Depends how big they are too

Answer 4

you need to start out by making a area for ones toys and an area for the others. that way they can keep there stuff in one place and dont have to fight for there own stuff also dont give 1 a treat without giving the other one 1. also give them equal atention. dont play favorites.dogs are also teritorial so mke sure they dont pee in the house cuz this would cause major issues. as for the fighting get dog kennels at pet smart and put them in time out or something when they fight. this would let them no there being bad. if they arent spayed and or nutered do this emedialtly it helps a great deal in atitude problems. especialy in females. and whatever you do MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SEPRATE FOOD AND WATER DISHES!!! this may not seem like much but it can make a huge difference. as for pushing them away do what you have to but dont hurt them.

Answer 5

JEFFBEV is right about taking the dog to the group by the scruff of the neck. dogs do this to each other in packs...and wolves in the wild.
second.....NEVER GIVE THEM anything that will spark a fight. no chews/toy/or raw hides....unless you buy two crates and crate them when they enjoy their treats.
yelling only makes them more nervous, i spray mine with a hose if they get to aggressive. it startles them and they tend to forget what the fight was about.
thirdly...is this occurring often. if so id never let them play unsupervised.
you might have two dominate dogs fighting for the top position. YOU need to be the one to make the decision who is top dog.
pick one and then that is the one that gets everything first. treats/toys/ your time and attention, then the other dog should get the same after you've given attention to the top dog.
if they fight over that attention....do as JEFFBEV said, assert YOUR dominance as the pack leader.
good luck

Answer 6

try taking the toys and putting them away for a while. When they argue over attention don't touch them just walk away. They will start to understand that you will not play with them when they are fighting and that they will not have their toys. It's like teaching a kid how to share. When they fight over a toy take it away. When you are petting them and they are fighting just walk out of the room. If they are hurting themselves like breaking the skin and making the other bleed then you need to get rid of one of the dogs because they are becoming a danger to eachother. If it is just nipping and growling then just walk out and leave them alone, see what happens. If it doesn't work then you may have to separate them.

Answer 7

See if you cannot find a trainer that will work on your dogs jealousy issues. Hitting/pushing your dogs while they are engaged in a fight, is only going to further upset them, and cause more aggression. Seperating the two dogs, is the best bet, although there is risk of self-injury in the process. Are they both neutered/spayed?

Answer 8

In the case of where they are fighting, sometimes it is nexessary to use more force to seperate them and it might seem like abuse, but you just have to do what is necessary to stop the fighting as long as you do not hurt them. What will happen if this occurs when you are not at home tho? You may come home to dead dogs.

Answer 9

Get some citronella spray. Dogs don't like the way it smells but it doesn't sting or burn. It comes in spray cans and when a fight breaks out you spray it at their heads. Get it at any petstore.
It works by distracting them from the fight. Like if you are arguing with a family member and someone walks by and farts, you will stop arguing and "wonder what on earth?"

Answer 10

I've read that you should grap the back legs of the agressor and pull him back so that you don't get bit. If the other is still wanting to fight, tie the first one up and then do the same with the second dog.
Been bit before, it's not fun.

Answer 11

they are trying to decide who is higher in the pack structure. that's how they settle disputes. It won't hurt if you shove them apart, since you are their alpha male. You must choose which one is the more favoured by always feeding one first, and petting that one first. You must beconsistent, and the fighting will eventually settle down, however, expect some problems if the least favoured suddenly decides he is going to take over the other's spot.