What do you do when there is a fight at the dog park?
It’s a scary thing that happens in the blink of an eye. One minute your dogs are playing and then the mood changes – it’s quicker than you think and if you are not an expert in dog body language, the signs are easy to miss.
Even if it’s not your dog in the fight, you should know what do to for the safety of everyone at the park, both human and canine.
Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA author, All About Dog Daycare, co-author, Off Leash Dog Play and Knowing Dogs Staff Training is an expert at canine body language. Her years of helping doggy daycare owners train their staff as well as manage dozens of dogs safely made her the perfect person to discuss what you need to do when a fight breaks out at the dog park.
What should owners bring with them to a dog park to have on hand in case of a fight?
RB: Probably the best safety measure at a dog park is to keep their dog away from the most dangerous part of the park which is the gate. When people are coming and going, you should call your dog to you and not let them crowd the gate where a fight is most likely to happen.
In terms of other items, I would carry a slip lead (or turn your own leash into a slip lead while you are at the park by threading the end through the handle). This can be a quick way to lasso and move your dog to get him away from a group of dogs easily.
You might also want to carry spray shield which is a citronella spray that can be useful if dogs fight.
What are some early signs to look for to hopefully stop the fight before it happens?
RB:
- Stiffening
- bullying behavior (dogs rolling other dogs, dogs pinning other dogs, any behavior that is causing a dog to run away or hide).
- If any annoying behavior is undesired by another dog it is likely to lead to a fight.
- Growling and snarling are other obvious signs. But I would really look at the behavior of the dogs and if it moves from loose and wiggly to still that is an early warning sign.
What should owners NOT DO during a dog fight?
RB: I usually recommend not grabbing the dogs by the collar. This is the first thing most people want to do, but you are much better off first trying to startle the dogs into stopping the fight (yelling, using spray shield, pouring water on the dogs, etc). Grabbing the dogs by the collar can lead to a bite.
What are some ways to break apart dogs?
RB: To break up a fight, I would start with making a loud noise (yelling, banging something together to make noise, anything that might startle the dogs).
If that doesn’t work, if you have something to throw on the dogs (bedding, towel, etc) you might be able to cover them and disorient them so they stop fighting or you may be able to push something in between them (board, playground equipment, etc if that is available).
If that isn’t available, try the spray shield.
If you have to grab them (as a very last resort), I would grab them by the back legs.
For small dogs, is it okay to grab them up, why or why not?
RB: For small dogs – if a large dog is approaching in a threatening way I would pick them up. You are likely to get jumped on by a larger dog and you may get hurt but the alternative is that the large dog may pick up and kill your small dog. (Incidentally this is one of the reasons I would separate large and small dogs at a dog park!).
What is the most important thing to do immediately after the dogs are broken up?
RB: Get the dog out of the park and assess for injuries. On long coated dogs it can be hard to see a puncture wound so keep checking throughout the day. For small dogs that were picked up by a larger dog, I would go to the vet to be sure there are no internal injuries.
Should owners treat this like a car accident – exchanging information and gathering witness information?
RB: Ideally yes, but I have found this rarely happens because everyone is so stressed out. If a dog is injured the owner usually wants to get treatment right away and often leaves before they get information. Sometimes the owner of the dog who caused the injury will leave too. But it would be best if both owners shared information for further follow up.
Beyond that it will depend on each county/city and what laws are in place for the dog park as to how things are handled.
Prevention is Worth a Pound Cure
Above all, preventing a dog fight is best. Bennett reminds us that not all dogs enjoy being with other dogs or the hectic energy of a dog park, and that’s okay!
“And the best way to minimize fights is to teach your dog to be a calm in the presence of other dogs and socialize the dog to other dogs,” she adds.
Otherwise, stay out of the dog park and opt for a long walk instead.
About the Author
Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She is the founder of A Fairytail House. In her spare time, she trains and competes in a variety of performance events with her Shetland Sheepdogs and caters to her two rescue kitties. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
