For this Omaha dog behavior training session we worked with a canine trio on how to prevent dogs from fighting. Arwen is an energetic lab mix that has been going after his much smaller roommate Luthian, a Chihuahua mix. While these two are fighting, Pippen, a Shiba Inu, gets caught in the cross-fire. (Arwen, left; Luthian right and Pippen, shown below)
When I first arrived for the session, I met Arwen and Pippen without Luthian, who waited in the other room. Due to the dogs fighting one another, the guardians had separated these two to prevent any other fights until they could have this in-home training session with me. Pippen didn’t seem to have a problem with either of the other dogs.
One of the guardians caught me off guard by saying he didn’t find a need to train the dogs to sit, the most basic core cue that any dog knows. Building confidence and self-esteem in dogs can come from learning new skills. Teaching dogs the basics in various situations is important.
These pups not knowing how to sit on command caused some hiccups during our training session. I rely on the sit command for various exercises and as a gauge of a dog’s well-being. As a dog trainer and behavior expert, I discovered early on that asking a dog to sit once can reveal a lot about its comfort level. If a dog is familiar with the command but refuses to sit, it’s signaling discomfort with something.
Understanding the cues your dog responds to is important for building a strong relationship. This means paying attention to how your dog reacts to different signals or commands. By recognizing these cues, you can better communicate with your dog and strengthen your bond. This understanding will help you anticipate your dog’s needs and respond appropriately.
Are you at your wit’s end with your puppies constantly fighting? I totally get it – watching those adorable fluffballs turn into tiny terrors can be super stressful! When my two Lab puppies started their daily wrestling matches that turned a bit too intense, I was worried sick they’d hurt each other.
The good news? Puppy fighting is usually normal behavior and with some simple techniques you can help them learn appropriate play. Let’s dive into some practical solutions that have worked for me and countless other frustrated puppy parents.
Understanding Why Puppies Fight
Before we jump into solutions, it’s important to understand why puppies fight in the first place:
- Learning social skills: Puppies learn normal social behavior through interactions with littermates
- Establishing boundaries: They’re figuring out what behaviors are acceptable
- Play behavior: Most “fighting” is actually play that helps them develop physically and mentally
- Overstimulation: Sometimes puppies get too excited during play
- Resource guarding: Fighting over food, toys, or attention
A big revelation for me was learning that what looks like fighting to us humans is often just normal puppy play. Understanding the difference is crucial!
How to Tell if It’s Play or a Real Fight
Here’s how to differentiate between healthy play and actual fighting
Signs of Normal Play
- Bouncy, loose body movements
- Open mouths with “smiling” expressions
- Play bows (front end down, rear end up)
- Taking turns being the chaser/chased
- Taking breaks during play
- Loud or continuous play growling
Signs of Actual Fighting
- Stiff, tense body posture
- Raised hackles (hair standing up along back)
- Tight lips, snarling
- Low, quiet growls
- Flattened ears
- No role reversals or breaks
When my puppies were playing, I noticed they’d take turns “winning” and would stop to drink water or rest. During actual fights, the dynamic changed completely – they got stiff and seemed genuinely upset.
10 Effective Ways to Stop Puppy Fighting
1. Interrupt and Redirect
When play gets too rough interrupt by making a loud noise (clap or whistle) to distract them then redirect their attention to appropriate toys. This works like a charm!
2. Use a Training Leash
Keep your puppies on long training leashes during play sessions. If things get too intense, you can step on the leash or gently pull them away without getting your hands between fighting puppies (which can be dangerous).
3. Provide Adequate Exercise
A tired puppy is a good puppy! Make sure your little ones get plenty of physical exercise through solo play with balls or stuffed toys. Many puppy fights happen because they’re just brimming with energy.
4. Create Separate Spaces
Sometimes puppies need breaks from each other. Using baby gates or separate playpens gives them a chance to calm down and relax away from their playmate.
5. Schedule Puppy Training Classes
Enrolling in puppy classes around 8 weeks of age provides crucial mental stimulation and teaches basic obedience commands that can help you control their behavior. Plus, they’ll get socialization with other puppies in a controlled environment.
6. Avoid Punishment
Never punish puppies for fighting – it’ll just make them more fearful or aggressive. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement when they play nicely together.
7. Teach Bite Inhibition
Puppies need to learn that biting hurts! When they bite too hard during play, make a high-pitched yelp (mimicking a hurt littermate) and briefly stop playing. This teaches them to control the force of their bites.
8. Provide Enrichment Activities
Keep your puppies mentally stimulated with puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and training games. Bored puppies are more likely to engage in rough play.
9. Monitor Resource Guarding
If your puppies fight over food, toys, or attention, make sure each has their own resources. Feed them separately and provide multiple toys to reduce competition.
10. Be Consistent
Consistency is key! Everyone in the household must follow the same rules and procedures for managing puppy play. Otherwise, your puppies will get confused about what’s acceptable.
When to Seek Professional Help
While most puppy fighting is normal, there are times when you should consult a professional:
- If one puppy consistently bullies the other
- If fights result in injuries
- If a puppy shows aggressive behavior in other situations (like resource guarding)
- If the fighting gets worse instead of better as they mature
In these cases, work with a certified dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods. Avoid trainers who guarantee results or use punishment-based techniques.
Real-Life Example: How I Stopped My Puppies from Fighting
My two Lab puppies, Max and Bella, would get super intense during play sessions, especially in the evenings. Their play would start out fine but would escalate until one of them was yelping.
Here’s what worked for us:
- We increased their individual exercise with separate play sessions
- We taught them the “leave it” command to interrupt play
- We used puzzle toys to keep them mentally stimulated
- We enrolled them in puppy classes where they learned basic obedience
- We provided supervised play with regular breaks
Within a few weeks, their play became much more appropriate. They still wrestled and chased each other, but they learned when to back off and take breaks.
Common Questions About Puppy Fighting
Will my puppies outgrow fighting?
Most puppies do outgrow excessive fighting as they mature, especially if you consistently guide them toward appropriate play. However, don’t just hope they’ll “grow out of it” – be proactive in teaching them.
Should I separate fighting puppies with my hands?
No! Never put your hands between fighting puppies – you could get seriously bitten. Instead, make a loud noise, use a blanket to separate them, or pull them apart using their leashes or harnesses.
Is it better to raise one puppy at a time?
Honestly, raising two puppies simultaneously (especially littermates) can be challenging because they can become more bonded to each other than to you. However, with proper training and socialization, it’s definitely possible to raise well-adjusted dogs together.
How long does it take for puppies to learn appropriate play?
Most puppies start to get the hang of appropriate play around 4-5 months of age, but it can take up to a year for them to fully mature in their play style. Patience is key!
Final Thoughts
Remember that most puppy fighting is normal developmental behavior. By understanding the difference between play and aggression, providing appropriate outlets for energy, and consistently redirecting inappropriate behavior, you can help your puppies grow into well-behaved adult dogs.
The most important thing is to stay calm and consistent. Your puppies are looking to you for guidance on what’s acceptable, and they’ll follow your lead if you’re patient and persistent.
Have you found other effective ways to stop your puppies from fighting? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
How to Prevent Dogs from Fighting
After getting an opportunity to observe Luthian, I had the guardians get Arwen so that we could head outside and I could show them an exercise to stop fighting dogs to each other. If you have dogs that aren’t getting along, or you’re curious about how to prevent dog fights, you should check out the free positive dog training video below.
If you have two dogs that are fighting, creating positive associations is a great way to stop fighting dogs. The engage disengage game is perfect for dogs with dog aggression problems because you get to construct an environment that sets the dog up for success.
I mention this because many people set their furry friends up to fail by putting them into an environment where the situation is beyond what the dog can handle or hasn’t been prepared for.
One of the keys to this exercise on how to prevent dogs from fighting is to go slowly so that the dog does not get reactive. If you move too fast, collapsing the distance too quickly, you can provoke a response which is the dog essentially practicing the behavior you’re looking to stop.
Why do Dogs Fight Each Other?
Just like humans, if dogs are unsure what someone wants from them, it can cause them to become frustrated. Frustration can turn to anxiety which can lead to stress in dogs.
This is important to understand in this case because all dog aggression comes from stress.
Dog aggression can stem from both behavioral issues and health concerns. Not taking care of a dog’s basic needs like water, food, play, and socialization can make them stressed, aggressive, or sick. It’s important to keep dogs active both physically and mentally to keep them from lashing out, especially at other dogs.
I went over how to use marker words to help dogs learn what it is they want them to do. We followed up that lesson with a hand targeting exercise to put it into action. This helps the guardians guide the dogs and move them without using physical force or touch.
Before the guardians swapped out Arwen for Luthian, I had offered several dog behavior tips. However, Luthian’s unexpectedly sweet and affectionate demeanor took me by surprise.
While I was offering advice, Luthian showed his love by snuggling into my chest. It was almost as if he was saying, “Petting me will make us both happy.” And he was absolutely correct!