- Distract the dogs. Anything that diverts their attention can potentially allow your dog to escape or you to safely pull your dog away. …
- Use an object to separate the dogs. Be certain to keep your hands and face as far from the dogs’ mouths as possible. …
- Physically separate the dogs.
It’s a common problem for pet owners: two puppies fighting. It can be frustrating, stressful and even dangerous, not just for the puppies, but also for anyone or anything else in the vicinity. Even when they’re just playing, they can turn on each other with surprising speed and ferocity. So how can an owner intervene and get their puppies to stop fighting? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the common causes of puppy fighting, as well as some strategies and tips for how to effectively intervene when puppies start squabbling.
What is Healthy Play and What is a True Fight?
It is crucial to be able to recognize behavioral and body language cues on your own in order to distinguish between puppy play and puppy fighting. Puppy play that is healthy and happy will be loose, have bounding, bouncy, and occasionally exaggerated movements, as well as a big, silly, open mouth. You might notice the stereotypical play bow and hear grumbling that is loud and/or constant. Healthy play between puppies has no winners or losers. Instead, there are frequent role switches in which the chaser may change into the chasee before changing back to the chaser. Additionally, you might notice a puppy “self-handicap” themselves during healthy play by lying on their back, side, or crouching lower (if they are playing with a smaller puppy). You will also see puppies taking breaks from healthy play. When two puppies are fighting on the ground, they might get up the next second to go get a drink of water.
Puppies fighting will exhibit significantly different behavioral cues and body language. They will stop making bouncy, loose movements and start making stiff, tense ones. You may even see their hackles raise up. They won’t have an amused, open mouthed expression with their tongue lolling; instead, they will be tight-lipped and either snarl or growl quietly. The ears will become flat and pinned back.
If your puppy gets involved in a fight, you should try to safely and quickly separate the puppies. If your puppy is wearing a leash and a harness, you can typically do this without much difficulty. Of course, most puppies don’t play all the time with their leashes on. No matter how tempted you are, resist the urge to grab your puppy by the scruff or attempt to put yourself between your puppy and the other one. You may get injured in the process. Instead, reroute them with different toys or attempt to momentarily divert the puppies’ attention with a loud noise, such as a whistle or clap. Then, if your puppy already has a practiced recall, you can simply call him or her to you or clip their leash on and lead them away from the other puppy.
Why Do Puppies Fight?
When puppies interact with other puppies, they learn what is normal social behavior, what is acceptable and okay, and what is not. This starts even before puppies are weaned from their mother. A puppy can develop a strong foundation for socialization through healthy play, and it also teaches them how to read body language and other nonverbal behavioral cues. The skills they develop as puppies in terms of typical dog-on-dog behavior lay the foundation for those they will use throughout their lives.
Make a Loud Noise
When you make a loud noise, they may become distracted and split up.
You can slam a door, blow a whistle, use an air horn, bang pans together, or ring the doorbell.
FAQ
Is it normal for puppies to fight all the time?
It’s common for dogs and puppies to romp and growl at one another in a pretend fight. The majority of dogs exhibit behaviors that can appear a little aggressive to us, but as long as they are done in good fun, they usually don’t hurt anyone (and may even improve their socialization skills).
How do you stop puppies fighting in the same household?
- Avoiding aggressive situations and triggers.
- Starting a “nothing in life is free” program.
- Giving preference to one dog.
- Desensitization and counter-conditioning.
- Medication, such as fluoxetine, to reduce anxiety and aggression.
How do I stop my puppies from fighting each other?
Instead, reroute them with different toys or attempt to momentarily divert the puppies’ attention with a loud noise, such as a whistle or clap. Then, if your puppy already has a practiced recall, you can simply call him or her to you or clip their leash on and lead them away from the other puppy.
How do you stop two sibling puppies from fighting?
If you need to break up a fight, spray the dogs with water, cover them with a blanket, or use an aversion therapy sound to disorient them and break the vicious cycle. Never intervene in a dog fight by grabbing the dogs by the collars or putting yourself between the dogs.