We have a chihuahua and a chihuahua/dachsund mix that are constantly fighting over everything like treats,toys,and just one trying to be the alpha dog. How should we break up a fight between the two without almost losing a finger or getting bit? My boyfriend tried throwing a blanket over one and scooping him up but he still got his fingers pinched by the chihuahua's mouth inside the blanket. I hope there is a safe way to go about this because we are worried they are going to hurt each other.
2007-06-30 08:31:39 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Throw ice cold water on them. It stops the fight immediately from the shock.
2007-06-30 08:34:36 · answer #1 · answered by luckford2004 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try a bucket of water or a powerful water gun. Other then that don't use a blanket because the dog will view this as an attack and can't tell who it is biting.
I would really bite the bullet and grab the scruffs and force them down to the ground and growl/ yell a one word command like sit or down. Try to remember that I have years of experience tearing apart fighting dogs, you might not and could be bit but you will learn. These are small dogs and can do limited damage to you.
Try having each wear a halti with a tab and just grab the tab and lift up only. This will close the mouth and stop the fight.
If you think this is a real fight get help and don't try to establish domiance beyond you and your boyfriend being boss.
Let them work out who will be boss between them. Most fights work out in a few minutes but if serious injury is happening you need to stop it. If no injuries are happening don't intervene.
You may need a referral to a good behaviourist. Ask your vet
On a final note do not attempt to stick your finger in the dogs butt. I have broken up fighting dogs many times and never done it. If you actually managed to do this you could seriously injure the dog. Even in the case of a dog refusing to release a bite don't do this. Use a break stick if you need to but don't stick your finger in the dog.
2007-06-30 08:43:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two ways that are usually safe to separate two fighting dogs. One is to throw water on them, and the other is to place a solid object (like a broom, folding chair, or piece of plywood) between them. Another really good idea is to have both of them drag a leash when they are loose together and you can supervise them (when you can't supervise them they should be locked in separate rooms or crates). That way, if they get into a fight you can just use the leashes to pull them apart.
You really need to train BOTH of these dogs to be more tolerant of each other. Otherwise they probably will hurt each other some day, no matter how careful you are about separating them when they do fight. I suggest picking up Fight! A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Dog-Dog Aggression and Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs both by Jean Donaldson and reading them cover to cover. I would also suggest seeking the help of a professional trainer. The two books I mentioned are good at explaining in simple terms the theories and methods to go about rehabilitating your dogs, but nothing works as well as being shown first hand by an experienced trainer how to implement a treatment plan. Living in a home where two dogs are constantly fighting over treats, toys, and territories is very stressful for both dogs and humans and really isn't fair for anyone in that situation.
2007-06-30 08:55:58 · answer #3 · answered by ainawgsd 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have been a dog trainer for many years. The best preventative is to start training your dogs. Do NOT go to a group class, you need to have a trainer come out to your home so that you can focus on what is going on in your environment. Meanwhile go pick up an air-horn at your local sports store (Walmart has them in their sports section). This can be used for most dogs to break up a fight in progress, but just as important when you notice the stare down and body posture before they go after each-other you can give them a short blast with it and defuse a lot of situations. Do not put the air-horn up to their ears or yours. This is meant to divert their attention away from each-other not harm their hearing or yours.
It would also help to read this article on separating a dog fights. (WARNING: some graphic dog bite pictures are on this site)http://www.leerburg.com/dogfight.htm
But it is important to work on some simple commands with them. A couple examples are sit stays, and making them wait for you to walk out the front door first wait a few second then call them through on the way out for a walk. Basically you need to be the commander of your ship!
Also here is an article about "nothing in life is free". It is a good read. http://www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm
I hope this helps!
2007-07-03 07:51:04 · answer #4 · answered by coachkarli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually the best way to get two dogs apart is to have a person grab each dog by the hips and pull them away from each other. Usually this keeps you far enough from their mouths that you will be able to let go and move back before they get to you. I would defiantly recommend contacting a local trainer and seeing what you can do to help alleviate the problems between the two dogs, to help prevent fights.
2007-06-30 08:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by kmarble4 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They way professional dog people use is this way.. (pretty disgusting) Stick your finger up their bums!!! I know but I'm serious! that is the recommended way! maybe you could wear gloves might help? This is what they might do just before a fight.
* A hard, unwavering, targeted stare.
* Dominance posturing, such as mounting.
* Stiff body movements.
* Extreme body language: the tail held stiffly up or down, lips pulled tight against the teeth.
But some dogs will stop if you squirt them with water\water bottle unfortunatly not for my two dogs :(
2007-06-30 08:44:08 · answer #6 · answered by CrazyCatGirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person who said grab the dogs by the hips.....you just got a lot of people bit. A dog will turn and bite by reflex when involved in a skirmish. The problem most people have is their dog is the alpha and you are the beta or even a gamma. My mastiffs or Danes get a little uppity with each other I growl and they all stop to see what the pack alpha (ME) is doing. I direct them at all times and they all get along fine even with my wife's cat because I do not allow them to hurt her even when she is rubbing on them.
These are not stuffed animals, they are pack predators, and they follow the alpha not the person that baby talks to them. Period. Look it up.
2007-06-30 10:23:01 · answer #7 · answered by Gnash n Bash 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have a pair of Great Danes that occasionally fight over their toys. I let them bicker over some things, it's what dogs do. But if it gets too serious and I worry one of them might get hurt (or hurt us since they are so huge) I just yell DOWN and they both hit the floor immediatly.
I'M the alpha in my house and when I say something the dogs listen. It took a couple months of working on it to get that, but it's well worth it to be able to stop a fight with one word.
Do NILIF training with both of your dogs so they know that YOU are in charge. Good luck!
2007-06-30 08:46:06 · answer #8 · answered by Crash 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do not break up a dog fight whether they are small dogs or large dogs. My friend got in between 2 dogs and I had to rush her to the hospital b/c her thumb was torn in two. I would probably ask your vet for the names of professional dog trainers to help. It may cost you a bit but I think it would be well worth it! Good luck...
2007-06-30 08:36:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
How many dogs have you owned in your life? Have you ever seen a litter of puppies? Let them fight. They will figure out who is in charge and things will be fine after that. I seriously doubt the fact that either one of those dogs could take off a finger. The dog bites your boyfriend again tell him to gag it. That will fix that problem. And next time go buy a real dog
2007-06-30 08:40:03 · answer #10 · answered by kevin_784 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋