Dogs and cats, like their wild counterparts, are largely territorial animals - that means that when they feel that their space is being intruded upon by another animal their natural instinct is to protect their territory. Dog fights can lead to terrible wounds and lesions; your dog could also be very unsettled in a fight and may need medical attention.
Dogs don’t attack other dogs just out of the blue. Dog fights mainly occur when dogs are left to roam streets on their own, or off of a leash or when they are able to rush out other dogs in passing. Before either dog takes action they will first bark and growl in warning and show signs of aggression such as a raised back and erect ears.
There are many solutions to preventing your animal from ending up in a dog fight. If your pet is trained from young not to be aggressive this can help in the breaking up of and the preventing fights. If your dog does get into a fight, and you are around when it happens, do consider your own safety in trying to break them up. Talking to your dog may calm him or her down. If your dog is on a leash you can try pulling them back and away from the other dog – this can be difficult if your dog is rather large and strong. Spraying the dogs with water, throwing a blanket over their heads or creating a distraction from the fight can often effectively break up them up.
Do however be aware that the animals are in a state of aggression and you could be bitten if you get in between the dogs. Dog bites can do a lot of harm and wounds can quickly become infected. If your dog sustains any injuries in the dog fight they should be taken to vet as soon as possible.
