There are a few things that can be done to help stop dogs from fighting. While it’s certainly not pleasant to see your furry family members fighting, it’s important to remember that this behavior is normal. Dogs are social animals, and like any social group, they have their own hierarchy. In a multi-dog household, each dog is vying for a higher spot in the pack order.
Causes of aggression between dogs
There are many possible causes, in this article I will focus on the most common ones and give recommendations for their elimination
– The first cause is the problem of dominance. This model of behavior was inherited by the dog from its progenitor – the wolf. Wolves live in packs, and in a pack there is a strict hierarchy, where each representative knows his place in “society”, and at the head of the entire community is the leader, whose authority, beyond any doubt. The higher the wolf stands in his pack on the hierarchical ladder, the more rights and privileges he has.
The leader always goes first, makes all decisions and gets the main part of prey, all females are his property and he covers as much as he can, and everyone else will be satisfied with what remains. I think being the ringleader is obvious.
This behavior is inherent in dogs living in a pack. It should be understood that the owner and the dog or dogs is a pack, albeit not a large one, but the leader will be in it!!! I emphasize not should be, but WILL be. And whether you or one of the dogs will be the leader is up to you.
It is in the dogs’ nature to want to lead, so they will compete with you or with each other anyway.
– The second reason is very closely intertwined with the first, when such hierarchical relationships become unstable. This means that one dog, perhaps a puppy, has matured and begins to claim leadership, or one of the dogs has aged and can no longer be the leader and its leadership rights are challenged by a younger and stronger dog.
In that case you should not leave the dogs alone to sort it out, or punish one and reward the other for aggression, as this can lead to a worsening of the problem
– The next cause is a lack of activity. If the animals are constantly idle or don’t walk much, or worse, are constantly in the enclosure, then from the excessive accumulation of energy they can show aggression to each other.
– Poor training – you won’t burn controlling your dogs if you don’t train them to obey commands on demand, I think this is the basis of all behavioral corrections.
How to correct unwanted behavior or how to stop fights between dogs.
First step
– First you have to be the leader of your pack. Your authority should be unshakable, then the dogs will respect and listen to you, this will help you in the following recommendations.
– Secondly: You need to make sure that your dog knows and obeys all of your commands – obedience is the main criterion for dogs to recognize you as their packmaster. Not only do you have to obey commands, but you always go out the door first and only then do you let the dogs go out one by one.
If you’re not up to the task, then appoint a dog trainer who can take you and your dog through basic training.
– Make sure your dog is beside you going up the stairs but slightly behind you, because that’s what the ringleader does.
– Ignore your dog’s requests for food from the table, eat it yourself first and only then put the leftovers in his bowl; remember the Boss always eats first.
– If you are resting in bed do not let the dog play with you, tell him to “Foo” and completely ignore him for 5-8 minutes, then go over to him praise him for not bothering you and play with him. THE HORSE – only play when he wants to!!!
– Do not let your dog sleep anywhere higher than where you sleep, as only the top dog sleeps at the highest position to control everyone. A typical example is Akela from The Jungle Book, who slept on the highest rock.
Stage Two
Next is the second stage, in which you need to help the dogs establish a hierarchical relationship. In short you are in charge, then the oldest dog or dog, then the puppy or girl dog.
In order to establish such a hierarchy, it is necessary to follow some rules:
– If the dogs fight, the young dog should be punished, not the old one, because it is necessary to show that the old dog is more important than the old one. I will consider the problem of the dog-dog less often, as these problems are usually much rarer, but all the above and below can be attributed to them. Again, the male dog should be in charge, only if he is NOT a puppy.
– The older dog should be the first to be fed, the first to walk with him, the first to let him in the door after him, the first to give him goodies – all these actions should show the younger dog to understand that the old guy))))) is still in charge.
Sometimes it turns out that a Bitch or a younger dog is in the lead, it is rare, but it does happen. Determining who will be the leader is simple, you need to observe the dogs. The leader will be first to come to you, first to the bowl, first in the door and up the stairs, when they are sleeping the leader will lie down higher or (when the field is flat) closer to you or fall asleep will always be the last.
Once you have identified the leader, proceed to the first step. Be patient, you can do it all!!!
What to do after a dog fight
If you’ve ever witnessed a dog fight, you know it’s a scary, chaotic experience. It’s important to know how to handle the situation safely and effectively. Here are some steps to take after a dog fight to ensure the safety of your pet and any other animals involved.
- Remain Calm: It’s important to remain calm and not panic during a dog fight. If you panic, you may make the situation worse. Instead, focus on getting the dogs separated as quickly and safely as possible.
- Separate the Dogs: The best way to separate the dogs is to use a leash, a blanket, or a broom to break up the fight. Do not attempt to grab the dogs directly as this can result in serious injury.
- Check for Injuries: Once the dogs have been separated, check for any injuries. If your dog or another animal is injured, seek veterinary care immediately.
- Determine the Cause: Once the dogs have been separated, try to determine what caused the fight. If it was a territorial dispute, make sure to keep the dogs separated in the future.
- Monitor Behavior: After the incident, keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior. If your dog is exhibiting any signs of aggression, seek professional help from a certified animal behaviorist.
- Take Preventative Measures: To prevent future fights, make sure to keep your dog on a leash in public and introduce new animals slowly. Also, make sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for your dog to help reduce any potential aggression.
Following these steps after a dog fight can help ensure the safety of your pet and any other animals involved. It’s important to remain calm and take the proper steps to keep everyone safe.