Our dog may be the gentlest in the world, but if another dog that is not inclined to socialize attacks it, a fight could break out within a short time. In this article, we will explain the reasons why two dogs may fight and what we owners can do to prevent and deal with these situations.
Why do dogs fight with each other?
There can truly be many reasons. One thing is certain: no dog attacks simply for the pleasure of doing so; there is always a reason behind the impulse that triggers aggression in its mind.
It may involve something going wrong in communication between the two dogs, territorial or dominance disputes, or even completely improper handling of the dog by its owner.
Here are the main reasons:
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Predation: the typical example of predatory aggression is a dog attacking us or our dog simply because we are holding it. Dogs are predators, so if the object of their hunt is taken away from them, they feel even more driven to capture it. If we pick up our Chihuahua because we fear another dog will attack it, we may end up with a dog on top of us that is determined to attack it;
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Territoriality: if our dog invades the territory belonging to another dog or pack, it could easily be attacked;
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Hierarchy: this is established mainly among male dogs, but females particularly determined to assume a dominant role are not uncommon. In these cases, dogs may fight to establish their roles within the group;
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Feeding: a dog may attack people or other dogs if it is not used to being handled while eating. This defensive attitude toward food intensifies especially with meat and bones;
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Protecting puppies: many mothers may attack other dogs if they believe they could pose a threat to their young;
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Sexual: if there is a female in heat nearby, suitors may fight to establish who will be lucky enough to court her first;
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Fear or surprise: if our dog, which does not know canine etiquette perfectly, rushes curiously toward another dog that is relieving itself, it could easily receive a nasty bite. Encounters between two dogs always occur according to well-defined rituals, precisely so they can communicate that neither poses a threat.
And then, naturally, there are the owners’ mistakes.
How many times have we seen an owner petting and reassuring their animal while it was staring and growling at another dog? In this way, we do nothing but reinforce the dog’s behavior, making it understand that we are fine with it threatening or attacking another dog.
Another typical situation involves dogs kept all day in places unsuitable for their size, without even the opportunity to have a good run at least once a day. In these cases, the dog becomes a pressure cooker, forced to hold in its energy day after day, until it explodes at the first opportunity.
If all owners ensured that their dogs’ energy was channeled into games, runs, and enjoyable activities rather than aggression, many dangerous situations would certainly be avoided.
What to do during a dog fight
The first thing to do, however difficult it may be, is not to intervene at all. The owner’s first instinct is to throw themselves into the fray to save their dog. Nothing could be more wrong. This would endanger our safety, and the one to bite us might even be our own dog, unaware of what is happening.
What we can do, instead, is first of all avoid certain situations. If we have a dog that tends to fight, we should always walk it on a leash, letting it off only when we are certain there is no danger, for example in the countryside.
If this is not enough, naturally we should consult an animal behavior expert.
A very important point that we often fail to keep in mind is that, in any case, the fight will end, often without particularly serious consequences. Dogs that know how to communicate with one another, after some growls and missed bites, understand how to avoid causing harm, so they will continue until one of them decides to move away.
If we see that the situation is getting out of control, and a Newfoundland is attacking our Chihuahua, we can coordinate with the other dog’s owner, simultaneously lifting the hind legs of both animals or pulling their tails, to disorient them and make them stop fighting.
If possible, use water to throw on the two dogs during the fight. Obviously, a few drops of water would not be enough, but it is also true that we do not always have large quantities of water readily available.
Do not pull our dog during the fight. We would stimulate the other dog’s predatory instinct even more, causing it to attack with greater force.
In conclusion, the only way to avoid a fight is to prevent it. We must work directly with our dog, trying to teach it to behave properly with other animals, without attacking them or behaving rudely. If we do not know how or do not believe we can do it alone, we should turn to an expert in the field. Dog fights can harm our friend, the unfortunate animal being attacked, and also other people or children.
The consequences of dog bites to people or other animals can be serious both for health and from a legal standpoint, so let us make sure we have done everything possible to avoid them.