These fights can often be broken up by making a loud noise, using water or citronella spray, or by physically separating the two dogs. If your dog is already an adult, take steps to socialize them better. You can still socialize your dog even if you missed the train when they were a pup. Improving your dog’s social skills will make them much less likely to both bite or get bitten.

The best way to handle a dog that likes to fight is to be proactive and train them to handle themselves better. This initial separation after a dog fight also gives you the time and space to remove items that may have triggered the altercation and consider whether you need to change any management strategies. For low-level scuffles, you may not need to keep the dogs separated for long, especially if you remove an item that they were fighting over. Following more intense fights, allowing time to decompress and for the stress chemical cortisol in their bodies to return to normal levels can be helpful. Be aware of their body language and whether they seem on edge or worried about the presence of the other dog when and if you reintegrate them. If in doubt, keep them separate and connect with a certified canine behavior consultant for support.

If you want to have a dog fight kit handy at home or at your place of work, here's a list of items to get your kit started. How to Break Up a Dog Fight: Hands-Off Techniques When she's not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding. Dog fights can get more serious. If dogs start truly biting, they can draw blood and even seriously injure the other dog. Preventing their dog from damaging someone else’s personal property (dogs are considered property, so a dog biting another dog falls under this requirement)

Mild abrasions can be treated at home as long as you follow proper wound care. If the area doesn't begin to show improvement within a couple of days or worsens (becomes painful, swollen, warm, or moist). If the dog appears to be in pain, even with no obvious physical wounds or has issues breathing, seek immediate veterinary care. Educator by E-Collar Technologies makes great e-collars that can help aggressive dogs learn to be more calm. Or if you prefer the old-school prong collars, Herm Sprenger makes the best collar on the market.Webinar: "When Sh*t Hits the Fan: Emergency Defensive Dog Handling with Michael Shikashio and Trish McMillan When a dog bites another dog, the waters can get a little bit murkier. A lot of dog fights tend to appear sudden in nature, so the location as to where the fight occurred tends to be pretty important in legal proceedings. Using the pepper spray at the wrong time can raise tensions and might even get you into legal trouble if you misread the situation. Worst Case Scenario If a dog has grabbed onto another dog with their bite, whether your own canine or someone else’s, there are a few techniques you can promptly utilize to release the bite.