It is not a secret that dogs and humans can be best friends, but they don’t necessarily interact the same way. Dogs, being intelligent creatures, perceive signals, and body language differently. Due to the difference in psychological aspects, humans often have misinterpreted their dog’s body language. So, how to reintroducing dogs after a fight?
Consider yourself lucky if you have never experienced fights among your pet canines. To be honest, it is infrequent for pet owners. If you are having trouble combatting your dogs’ constant fights or reintroducing dog after a fight, then you are at the right place. In this article, you will get all the necessary details to save you from such hassles, so better keep reading.
Let’s Understand The Science Behind Dogfighting
Here are some reasons which are shortlisted from the experiences of the pet owners.
- Territory drive converted to predatory drive when a new dog is introduced to the existing pack.
- Resource guarding is also considered one of the classic fight starters.
- Growing jealousy among the canines.
- Post trauma caused by any human or a dog, which happens mostly among the rescued animals.
- Lack of development of socialization skills among newly brought pups
- Dominance over territory or status aggression.
- Aggression among neutered and intact males living together.
How To Reintroducing Dogs After A Fight? – In 11 Steps
- Reintroducing after a serious fight is a slow process that requires patience, energy, and time. It takes time to heal, but it is worth the wait. After all, it’s about your pets, so take your time.
- A dog handler needs to be a calm, strong, assertive leader. These turn out to be a massive requirement for the reintroduction. Dogs can sense anxiety and panic.
- The situation might worsen if the handler is not assertive enough. It is not easy to acquire such a personality by-born and be calm in such a traumatic situation. So if needed, do your research or seek professional help.
- You need to identify the cause of the fight in the first place. As a result, triggering the cause of the fight, and the risk of repeated conflicts can be avoided.
- Avoid activating reintroduction plans in the previous fight scene. We don’t want any bad memories in the process, do we?
- It is better, to begin with, short sessions between the separated dogs after the fight. Be it quick glimpses but make sure it happens in the distance.
- Dogs can be rewarded with treats in the other dog’s presence in question to create a positive stimulus. When your pet shows signs of acceptance and tolerance towards the other dog, make sure you applaud with treats, belly or back rubs, etc.
- Eventually, increase the interacting duration according to the level of comfort in the presence of the other dog.
- Opt for short walks with both the dogs side by side. Be the leader, so there’s no competition, so no more grudges, no more fights. They will be more focused on one goal and act as a team.
- Engage them with several exercises so the canines are exhausted and lack interest to engage in fights. It is recommended to separate the pets if any one of the handlers is unavailable or not in the correct state of mind.
- Remember, socialization is the key to a well-balanced dog. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the phase and spend quality time with your most adored pets.
External Factors Affecting Dog Aggression
All dogs are different. Some can be unfriendly, and others are friendly and welcoming. Some examples of these external factors affecting dog aggression include:
- The way they’re trained
- Their age
- Their environment
- What they see on the street or in other places, they go outside with their families or owners.
- Apprehension
- Insufficient Socialization
- Inadequate Occupational Stimulation
- Psychological Problems
- Inability to Focus on Activities
- Personal Turf
- Learned Aggression
- In some instances, dog aggression can be due to medical conditions.
How To Successfully Introduce Two Dogs
It’s never fun introducing two dogs to each other for the first time. They will sniff each other, mark territory on anything in sight, and if there are any food issues, one of them will most likely get hurt. To make the introductions go smoothly, you need to have your dog leashed and then get it used to the new dog before introducing them face-to-face.
Always start the introductions by your dog’s side; never approach them from an angle. There is no need for games with food or toys; it will cause the dogs to become overly excited. Walk in a circle around the other dog and ensure they both have enough space. If they do not have enough space, call your dog back and return later with more space between them.
Best Practices For Breaking Up A Dog Fight
Dog fights are an unfortunate and sometimes dangerous occurrence. Here are some tips for safely breaking up a dog fight:
Distract The Dogs
Find a way to help the aggressor relax, and encourage the victim to escape
Wheelbarrow Method
Step 1: Take a wheelbarrow or similar object and place it in the middle of the room.
Step 2: Lay a towel down onto the floor and place each dog on opposite ends of the towel – i.e., one dog on top of the other.
Step 3: Place another towel over the two dogs like an upside-down bowl. This mixture of towels should be placed tightly around both dogs’ heads and necks. Be gentle – the towels may be quite heavy in places, which can further entangle them.
Step 4: Place the dogs on their backs on top of the mixture of towels where they will passionately bark and try to bite one another but cannot do so.
Step 5: If they are still aggressive, repeat steps 1-4.
Therapy for Dog Dominance Aggression
Many forms of aggression can start around the same time, like food aggression, resource guarding, and house soiling. If a dog starts displaying any of these behaviors, it will be important to consult a vet to check for possible medical disorders.
Despite its considerable hazard to public health, there are no approved medications for treating dog aggressiveness. Treatments include behavior control and long-term fluoxetine use.
Fluoxetine, the generic name for the antidepressant Prozac, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. SSRIs have been shown to reduce aggressive behavior in dogs and are still used to treat human depression.
How Can You Prevent Future Fights?
Keep in mind that one dog fight does not mean the end of the world. Fights can happen even among the most balanced dogs. So it is completely normal. Let’s get along with some of the do’s and the don’ts to avoid pooch conflicts in the future.
The Do’s
- Proceed with a plan, stay calm.
- Grab anything from the environment to create a barrier during the fight. Be it a pillow, trash can, cushion, chair, jacket, or anything, you name it.
- Even you can use an Adapted collar from the back gently to separate.
- Ensure the dogs are getting in the state of being calm. Consider it to be one of the most important steps.
- Always take your pets to the vets after a fight. As a result, serious injuries can be identified within a short period, and quick medical help can be sought.
The Don’ts
- Don’t panic or yell, or else it will intensify the chaotic situation.
- Don’t you dare to physically enter the fight, or else you might end up getting bitten.
- Never ever plan on beating your angry pet during the fight. Trust me, you will regret it.
- Don’t rush to separate the dogs by pulling. Acting like this might increase aggression.
- To avoid the blue blood between the pooches, don’t include any pack leadership, rank reduction protocols, or any painful corrections.
Signs Of Your Dogs Not Getting Along
Animals are unable to talk. They express their emotions either through expressions or their body language. When your pooches don’t get along, they show specific body language. All you need to do is get the signals and observe the body language. Such as
- Growling
- Barking
- Flipping of stomach
- Teeth exposure
- Snapping
Just A Piece Of Advice
Your pups are just like your kids. You adore them, play with them, and discipline them whenever needed. So the safety of your pets should be the one that matters. Nothing comes first before their safety. So it is recommended to take professional help from dog trainers and behaviorists for the betterment of your pooches.
Pets deserve all the love and care. So they should never be abused in the name of discipline. I hope now you know how to reintroducing dogs after a fight. Humans should utilize their conscience and apply simple tricks and techniques to reintroduce dogs after a flight without causing them any harm!
How to Teach Your Puppy to Walk on a Leash?
You should first introduce your dog to the idea of walking on a leash by taking one with you. Then, put the collar around the small of its neck, and attach it to the leash. You might want to shake it, snap, or clap loudly, so they know what will happen when they move forward.
When they steady themselves and start walking with you, reward them with treats or toys. Remember that patience is key; even if they don’t cooperate at first, be persistent because it pays off in the end.
How Do I Reunite My Dog After A Fight?
Dogs that have been fighting may need some help getting back into friendship. If the fight was severe, it is important to call your veterinarian to ensure both dogs are healthy. Otherwise, follow these steps:
Step 1- The first step is for you to wash your dog thoroughly and examine any visible wounds.
Step 2- Prevent the two dogs from playing or going on walks together for at least 24 hours after the fight. It is important to keep the two dogs separated during this time. Reuniting the dogs too soon can lead to more fighting.
Step 3- After 24 hours, it is time to let the dogs see each other again. Start by letting them sniff one another from a distance for a few minutes, and then you can sit them down next to one another.
Step 4- If either dog seems agitated or aggressive, you must separate them immediately. It may take several days before they are comfortable with each other again.
Step 5- If the dogs seem to be becoming friends, you can begin the process of positive reinforcement training.
Conclusion
A dog fight is common, especially if you have two dogs in your house. It would be best to be cautious when introducing your new pet to your old dog, as a fight could easily break out. If an unlikely fight occurs, you have to reunite them. So as a dog owner, you must know how to reintroduce dogs after a fight.
We have already discussed the reintroducing method in this article. So, please follow the steps while reintroducing dogs and care for them after being in a fight. If you have further questions regarding the fight, feel free to ask us.
FAQ
1.Will, My Dog Be Traumatized After Being Attacked?
Ans: Yes, your dog will be traumatized. The experience of being attacked by a dog is extremely stressful for your dog, and not only will he or she be unable to sleep, but he or she could also suffer from nightmares.
2.How Do I Comfort My Dog After Being Attacked?
Ans: Observe your dog’s reaction when they are first introduced back into their home and keep a close eye on them for any unusual behavior, such as hiding or cowering in one spot. Be sure to make them comfortable by talking softly and ensuring they have plenty of food and water and a quiet space where they can escape if needed.
3.How Do You Know If A Dog Fight Is Serious?
Ans: Exaggerated growling and snarling. Play-growling sounds scarier than fighting. Dogs ” fall ” when playing chase and expose their bellies, making them vulnerable; they alternate chasing.
4.What To Do When You Can’t Break Up A Fight?
Ans: Here are some things you might try:
- Separate the two dogs by using a leash or other long object to make a barrier between them
- Put one of the dogs in one room and shut the door.
- Leave the dogs locked in the room together until they lose interest in fighting.
- Try distracting them
5.How To Teach Your Puppy To Walk On A Leash?
Ans: Start by attaching the leash and letting your pup wear it around the house, giving lots of praise and treats when they behave correctly. Next, attach the leash in a quiet area outside and encourage your pup to walk towards you before walking away from them, praising as you do so.
