09/18/2023
**Long post ahead**
**This is MUST read**
Let's talk about how to prevent dogs from fighting in the household.
Have your dogs seemed to be getting along but now they just hate each other? This is not uncommon and it's important to discover why the fights are occurring so that you can attempt to fix the problem.
There are many reasons why dogs in the same household fight. Even dogs who have been together for a while may start to fight. When a new dog joins the family, there’s always a period of adjustment. Sometimes fights break out for various reasons. As the stress increases in a dog’s life, fights are more likely to occur. Below are some reasons as to why fits may occur
1) Guarding Their Owner
Dogs may guard many resources. Resources include things that are valuable to the dog. We’re a very valuable resource to our dogs. We give them attention, feed them, walk them, play with them, train them, take them out to socialize them, etc. So it is very natural for some dogs to guard their owners and the space around them.
2) Change in a Resident Dog’s Health or Age
Some dogs may sense that another dog in the household has become ill. And the healthier dog sometimes will attack the sick dog. Another scenario is when a dog matures and challenges the older dog.
3) Changes in the Household or Routine
Any change in members of the family, like having a baby, can be very stressful for a dog. Some dogs find such changes very difficult and can’t adjust. As their stress level increases, so will the propensity to fight.
4) Redirection When Dogs Become Overstimulated
Sometimes a dog will become too aroused by an event and attack whatever is nearby–including another resident dog. Even though the stimulus is unrelated to the other dog, an attack can occur. This can also happen when the owner or a visitor arrives or departs or even when the mailman delivers mail.
5) Underlying Anxiety
Some dogs with a stress or anxiety disorder may attack another dog when their stress crosses a threshold. This can happen when a dog is noise sensitive. Even though he may be alright with regular household noises, if a new noise like that from a delivery truck occurs, he may become overstimulated. And he may attack a nearby dog. Some dogs have separation anxiety and, because they are overly stressed when an owner departs, may attack another dog.
6) Improper Socialization
A dog who was improperly socialized may be more likely to attack another dog. He might not properly read another’s body language. For example, the other dog may be enticing him to play. But the unsocialized dog reads it as an attempt to fight.
Reading a dog's body language is very important and you have to look at the whole picture as no one sign necessarily indicates that a dog may fight. Separate them before things escalate to a fight.
Some warning signs that may indicate a dog may start a fight are growling, baring teeth, ears are raised, their hackles are raised, stiffened body, staring, and mounting. The weaker dog may show signs of submission like tucked tail or flattened ears.
There are ways that you can help prevent a fight from happening. It's definitely better to prevent it than to stop it after it occurs. Both people and dogs can become injured if having to break up a fight. It may be difficult (if not impossible) for the dogs to get along afterwards.
When introducing a dog to a new one all play and interactions NEED to be observed. If you see that things are starting to get rough you need to redirect both dogs like calling them to you. Dogs shouldn't "work it out" because there is so much at stake. Injuries can occur and they can be severe. Depending on why they are fighting, there are various measures you can take.
Managing a dogs environment will help keep everyone safe. For instance, if resources are an issue, you should do the following. Feed them separately. Give them high-value things like bones separately. Keep things that they’ll guard out of reach.
If a dog is guarding a person it is too dangerous to potentially have a fight between a dog with people nearby. So we recommend getting professional help with this especially if you cannot manage a situation successfully.
It is also important to manage rich play. Yes it is great that your dogs are playing together but don't let things escalate to where a fight may occur. Don’t let one dog mount another or get too rough pinning another. Even chase games can escalate when one dog reaches the other. And the chased dog may fight. It is very recommended that you train your dog to come to you no matter what. A reliable recall is very crucial. So, if you see things escalate, you can interrupt the play and praise and reward each dog with a small treat for coming to you. It is also bed too let dogs rest and settle down before playing again. A tired dog will be more stressed and more likely to fight.
Giving a dog their own space is a key point here. It is very important that each dog who has had disagreements have his own space. Usually, this is important for any dog so that conflicts don’t arise. If you own crates at home giving them their own crate and bed is best to help giving them their own space.
Being able to encourage calm behavior is always a recommendation. Teaching a "settle" command where a dog can settle on cue helps. You want to work with the dogs separately and work with distractions before working with both dogs together.
Just like people dogs need some down time. Giving them down time will help them not be stressed and will also help prevent separation anxiety.
Exercise is also important for every dog and it also can help prevent a fight between dogs. Giving them the right amount of exercise for their age and breed is very important. Even mental exercises is as important to help tire out your pup. You can teach your dog tricks or give them puzzle toys.
Never leave your dogs alone together. If they have fought before they may fight again when alone. Even if they have never fought it is still better to be safe them sorry.
We recommend that it is important for dogs to be trained. A trained dog has more confidence and will understand what is expected of him. Having your dog well trained can help in numerous situations including preventing dog fights.
