Dogs are social animals and fighting between two female dogs can be a sign of dominance or...
How to Stop Your Dogs From Fighting: Tips and Tricks
Dogs can fight for a variety of reasons, from territorial aggression to lack of training. If your two dogs are fighting, it is essential that you take the appropriate steps to stop the behaviour. This article provides tips and tricks on how to get your dogs to stop fighting and prevent it from happening in the future.
Understand the Reasons Why Your Dogs Are Fighting
The first step in tackling your dogs’ fighting behaviour is to understand why they are fighting. There are many reasons why dogs might fight, including territorial behaviour, dominance aggression, fear, anxiety, and lack of training. It is important to identify the root cause of the fighting behaviour so that you can develop an effective plan to stop it.
For example, if your dogs are fighting over territory, you can use positive reinforcement to teach them to respect each other’s space. If the fighting is due to dominance aggression, then you can use positive punishment to teach them that aggressive behaviour is not tolerated.
Interrupt the Fighting
When your dogs are fighting, it is important to intervene immediately. Do not attempt to separate the dogs yourself – you risk being injured in the process. Instead, use a loud noise or water spray to interrupt the fight and distract the dogs.
You can also use a leash to separate the dogs. If you have a second person available, have them hold one dog while you hold the other. If you are alone, use a leash to lead one dog away from the other. Once the dogs have been separated, keep them in separate rooms to prevent further fighting.
Provide Positive Reinforcement
Once the dogs have been separated, it is important to provide positive reinforcement for calm behaviour. Reward your dogs with treats and praise when they demonstrate calm behaviour around each other. This will help them learn that calm behaviour is rewarded, while aggressive behaviour is not.
It is also important to ensure that your dogs are getting plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. If your dogs are not getting enough physical and mental stimulation, they may become bored and start fighting out of boredom.
Train Your Dogs
Training is an important part of teaching your dogs to behave appropriately. Start by teaching basic commands such as “sit” and “stay”. This will help your dogs learn to respect each other’s space and give them an outlet for their energy. You can also use positive reinforcement to teach your dogs to be calm and relaxed around each other.
It is also important to train your dogs to recognize the signs of aggression in each other. This will help them recognize when the other dog is becoming aggressive and allow them to avoid a fight before it starts.
Seek Professional Help
If your dogs’ fighting behaviour persists, it is important to seek professional help. A qualified dog behaviourist can help you identify the root cause of the problem and develop an effective plan to stop the fighting behaviour. They can also provide you with tips and tricks for preventing the behaviour in the future.
In some cases, your dogs may need to be separated permanently. If this is the case, it is important to ensure that your dogs are provided with adequate exercise and mental stimulation in their separate environments.
Conclusion
Dogs can fight for a variety of reasons, from territorial aggression to lack of training. If your two dogs are fighting, it is essential that you take the appropriate steps to stop the behaviour. Understanding the root cause of the fighting is the first step in tackling the problem.
Interrupt the fight immediately and provide positive reinforcement for calm behaviour. Training your dogs can also help them learn to recognize the signs of aggression in each other and avoid fights before they start. If the fighting persists, seek professional help from a qualified dog behaviourist.
