One of the most successful methods of breaking up fighting dogs is the “wheelbarrow method.” It's done by two people grabbing onto the back legs of their respective dogs and pulling the dogs away from one another, essentially making it impossible to keep fighting.
It's useful to desensitize both dogs to a muzzle over the period you're desensitizing them to each other (in separate sessions), so the first time you're ready for them to actually interact together you can muzzle them and be confident they can't hurt each other.
Instead of giving your dog time-outs for hard biting, start to give him time-outs every time you feel his teeth touch your skin. The instant you feel your dog's teeth touch you, give a high-pitched yelp. Then immediately walk away from him. Ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds.
1. Calmly remove your dog from the situation. No scolding, no yelling, and no physical punishment. Gently take hold of her collar, lead her to a quiet room away from the action, and leave her there with a bowl of water and a chew toy.
You should NOT punish a dog for biting. This method may also teach the dog not to give a warning prior to the bite. It certainly doesn't do anything to minimize the dog's stressors.
While it seems dogs do forgive after a fight, there's still a lot more to learn about reconciliation in dogs. In some multi-dog households, it doesn't always work out. Shyan-Norwalt has observed dogs in the same family who did not reconcile but instead separated after every conflict.
Under no circumstances should the dogs be allowed to "fight it out." You could be injured due to redirected aggressive attacks, or when you attempt to break up the fight (see below).
Stay calm, and back away slowly. Instead of screaming, or yelling at the dog, speak to him in a soothing tone as you slowly back away. Don't make direct eye contact. Staring in the eyes of an aggressive dog may prompt him to attack.
People and dogs can become injured when there's a fight. Also, a dog will remember that he's been attacked. It may be very difficult–if not impossible–for them to get along afterwards.
Do: Once they are calm and tired you are going to let them back together. Dogs live in the moment and argue and fight like little kids on a playground. They don't hold grudges and once the fight has passed the dogs have moved on. It's really quite remarkable how quickly they move past.
If a dog is showing signs of aggression, don't look it in the eye as it will take that as a challenge. Don't smile as it could interpret that as you baring your teeth. Instead, stand sideways to it so you present less of a threat. Without making sudden movements, slowly back away and out of the dog's line of sight.
Physical punishment should never be a course of action following a puppy or dog bite. Tapping or popping them on the nose can be misunderstood and seen as being playful. This could also encourage more unwanted biting behavior. Hitting a dog, or being too rough with a dog, frequently encourages more biting as well.
In California, people have a statutory right to kill dogs that attack certain listed animals, and a common-law right to defend their other domestic animals from attack under most circumstances.
Do not use physical punishment on your dog. Hitting your dog could cause him or her to become afraid or more aggressive. Treating canine aggression is usually complex and can be dangerous, so a treatment plan should be designed and supervised by a behavior specialist.
Never put your face close to the fight. The location of the brawl can change quickly and may move to include where your face is. Never grab the dog by the tail and attempt to pull him away from the fight. The dog is maximally stimulated and might quickly wheel around and bite your hand.
Whether you rescue an older dog or a puppy, a lot of dogs tend to follow the 3-3-3 rule when getting acclimated: 3 days of feeling overwhelmed and nervous. 3 weeks of settling in. 3 months of building trust and bonding with you.
For animals who have been abused, the severe and prolonged suffering they endured may be something they can learn to overcome given enough time and the right kind of training. While we do not know exactly what your dog recalls from his abuse, we do see evidence of those memories in the dog's maladaptive behaviors.
Can dogs live together after fighting? The answer is, most of the time, YES. There are times when dogs may be like an incompatible couple and need to divorce, but in general, there are things you can do to help combative pups get along.
There are many steps to take to help curb puppy biting and others you should avoid, including: Don't yell at your puppy, tap your puppy on the nose or hold their mouth shut when they bite. This will only confuse your puppy and teach them not to trust you when you want to play.
Don't “Bite Your Puppy Back”
For some reason, this response to puppy nipping has been making the rounds on social forums, and you should completely avoid this. First off, your puppy knows you're not a dog, so biting them back doesn't have the same meaning as when a dog does it to them.
If you must reprimand your dog, do not do so by smacking them on the nose. This behavior can make them angry or frightened, and a bite may be forthcoming as a result. It can also make them head-shy, a condition that causes fear of being touched on the head, making it difficult to go to the groomer or vet.