When dogs attack (other dogs)
Via HIAHB, comes this story of a dog being attacked by another dog. He wants to know what he can legally do to defend a dog. I think this varies by state. I know in East Tennessee that if a dog is on your property uninvited, you can pretty much shoot it. I don’t know if that’s the law, but it is common practice. If my pup was attacked by a large, unrestrained dog, I would kill the dog before allowing mine to die. Otherwise, I’d try to stop the fight then call animal control.
On dog fights:
First, try to avoid them. Don’t let your dog out of your yard unless he’s on a leash with you. If he is on a leash, learn the signs. Remember, some dog owners aren’t as responsible as you and will let their dogs run wild in neighborhoods. Dogs fight for dominance and territory (fighting over food is typically a dominance issue). If two dogs meet, the following can indicate a pending fight:
Hackles raised on one or both dogs (he’s scared) and may attack.
Snarling, growling, and barking.
Staring at each other.
Butt sniffing can lead to fights. A dog who is typically dominant doesn’t appreciate his butt being sniffed.
A dog licking the inside of another dog’s mouth. This is a dominance display in which one dog tries to get the other to spit up his food.
A dog on a leash or tied to something is more likely to fight. They feel restrained and will attack out of fear.
No matter what signs you learn, some times dogs will just attack each other without provocation. They’re that way.
Socialize your dog. Take him to the park, PetsMart, or anywhere he can meet dogs. Make sure you have him on a choke collar. When he approaches a dog and acts appropriately, praise him. If he attacks another dog or displays aggressive behavior, give him a correction by snapping his leash and tell him No!
Breaking up a fight:
Unless you fear a dog will die, it’s probably best not to get into the fray. You can get hurt if two big dogs are going at it. Dogs will rarely fight to the point they kill each other. It does happen though with poorly socialized dogs and rescue dogs that were rescued from dog fighting operations. Dog fighting rescue animals usually make fine pets, but don’t play well with other dogs. Avoid letting them come into contact with other dogs until you know they’re over this little problem (they may never get over it). Typically in a fight, one dog will submit pretty quickly (lays down, pees on himself) and it’s all over but the crying. But if you must break one up:
Your dog should be on a leash. Pull him away. If the other dog is unrestrained, stepping between them could be bad. If your dog is on a leash, and you pull him away and the other dog continues it’s attack, kick the attacking dog as hard as you can right in the jaw (or anywhere you can reach). If you have pepper spray, use it. If you run, the dog will chase. Stand your ground then walk calmly away.
Yelling loudly at both dogs can sometimes be effective but don’t count on it.
The easiest way to break a fight up is with a water hose. Spray them, they will quit. Of course, hoses aren’t always available.
Pick up a dog’s back legs and drag it back. This is only effective if you have someone who can grab each dog. If you pull one off, the other may continue to attack.
Hit the attacker with a stick or whatever is lying around.
When you get the fight stopped, separate the dogs immediately.
If you want to introduce your dog to another dog, it is best to do so on neutral ground. Take the dogs someplace where neither of them lives, there is no food, and there is plenty of space. By doing this, you’ve eliminated the territory issues and some dominance issues. This will avoid unnecessary dog fights.
One last thing, be smart. My dog looks intimidating, even though he is a sweetheart. But if he gets in a fight, he will be viewed as the bad guy because of his breed (American Bulldog). In this day of soccer mom nannyism, it doesn’t matter that the Golden Retriever started it. My dog is the bad guy because he looks a certain way. I am very cautious when I introduce Politically Incorrect Dog to any other dog. I don’t worry about his behavior, I worry about the other dogs’ behavior.
October 13th, 2003 at 11:16 am
Your common sense approach to informing people on dogs should be incorporated into a book. If all dog owners without common sense bought it, you’d be a wealthy man. Thanks for such public service blogs as this one.
October 13th, 2003 at 1:52 pm
Glad you find it useful!
October 13th, 2003 at 4:08 pm
Awwww…but how can little doggies with mouse ear sets be vicious?
heh heh heh
October 13th, 2003 at 4:16 pm
They do get kinda mad when they have the mouse ears on.
November 16th, 2003 at 6:59 am
i like dogs can u plz send me pics of cute dogs thanx…
luv from rubz!!!
May 12th, 2004 at 9:24 am
Infoon dog being on a leash and feeling threatened has been helpful – but if I let her off the leash – then what. She is becoming socialized with family dogs – all smaller (she is blk lab)-but dogs her size – and dogs that “surprise her” when we are walking – or hiking become the problem. She bears teeth and growls and hairup on back. Every other time she is a gentle sweetheart. She is 2/3 yrs old from the humane society – family mean to her. Any ideas?
May 19th, 2004 at 5:07 pm
I have a recently rescued female 3 year old Springer Spaniel. She was an has an alpha personality with other dogs but not people.
After 6 months she gets along well with our 3 year old male springer with only occasional attacks on him with food or people possesiveness and lately he even seems more dominant than she.
The problem is she still wants to attach any other strange dog she meets. She does not act aggressive at the groomer though. Should I take
her to the dog park for short periods to see if the aggressive behavior goes away?
October 16th, 2003 at 12:41 am
Delicious Mix Tape
1. Guy Montag – Burn, Cubs, Burn b/w Hottest Chick on Earth 2. Say Uncle – When Dogs Attack b/w Party of the Rich 3. My Quiet Life – Korn (or, Supply Side Solutions) 4. Musings of a Philosophical Scrivener…