My Training Notes

Dog Fights

Problem

When a family brings home a second dog, it is quite common for the dogs to refuse to get along with each other. I haven't come across too much information about how to prevent dog fights. I guess that most trainers think that general obedience training will calm a dog's aggression.

Brian Kilcommons book "Good Owners, Great Dogs" has a relevant chapter. I just got the book yesterday and haven't had a chance to digest it yet.

Two quick comments

When bringing home a new dog, introduce the two on neutral turf outside of your home and yard.

Fighting dogs may get confused and bite you. A hose may or may not have any effect. One recommendation that I have heard from several sources is to pick up a fighting dog's hind legs. This requires a person for each dog, of course.