Unfortunately, some fighting dogs will not stop fighting until an injury occurs that results in one dog backing off. However, some triggers are easily identified and can be avoided. Multiple dogs of the same sex that live in the same house (all female or all male) may be at a higher risk of fighting.
Sometimes the potential risk of injury (physical or emotional) is too great to have them live together. Sometimes the triggers are not easy to control so the safest option is to keep the dogs separated.
Many household dogs do not establish a clear hierarchy. If your dogs are fighting, a veterinary behaviorist will be able to determine whether the aggression relates to a failed attempt to form and maintain a dominance hierarchy and will be able to treat the behavior accordingly.
Dogs are inherently social animals that live well together in groups, but that does not mean that all dogs get along. Most dogs will welcome a new sibling, but it is not always smooth sailing. The furry family member you have now will face many changes when a new dog enters the picture and may feel a bit displaced.
Sometimes, two dogs cannot live together after fighting. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to rehome them, but it does mean keeping them separated for the rest of their lives. As we discussed above, you'd need to crate and rotate (using either literal crates or rooms) or split your house into two parts.
Many people do not give two dogs time to adequately adjust to one another before deciding that having two dogs will simply not work. It can take up to one month for an old dog and new dog to really settle in and accept each other's position in the pack.
Some have recommended that the dogs not be anywhere near one another for at least 48 hours following the fight, even if they live in the same household, while others recommend that getting a positive interaction between the two animals as soon as possible is the best course of action -- at the end of the day, however, ...
Fights have their own set of body language that can help you identify when an intervention is needed. Tense body language such as a tucked tail, stiff movements, deep growling, and snarling are cues that the dog is under stress. Most dogs will try to get away from the situation if they are uncomfortable.
Here's some things you can do stop dogs in the same household from fighting: Supervise interactions, provide them plenty of resources and remove ones causing competition. Give each dog individual attention away from one another, and develop a training plan that aims for them to be comfortable around each other.
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.
There are a variety of reasons dogs may show sudden aggression towards each other. Some of the most common causes of conflict between familiar dogs include frustration, illness, and resource guarding. You'll need to clearly identify the root of the problem to restore household harmony.
Conclusion. Play fight between dogs is only natural and should be allowed. It is a good exercise for your dog, a rehearsal for adulthood, and a good practice for socialization. However, play fights can sometimes turn into a real and dangerous fight.
Never reach in with your hands to separate fighting dogs. Never put your face close to a dog fight. Never grab a dog by the tail and attempt to pull him away from a fight.
While they'll sometimes just walk away and leave each other alone, other times, they'll go through a process of reconciliation and make up after the fight.
They can also become depressed after a traumatic injury or an attack from another animal.
The bottom line on dog fights is that unless you are trained, it is best to never step into the middle of them. In the worst case, let them fight. It may result in death or severe injury to one of the dogs, but it's not worth the damage it could cause to you if you make a mistake trying to end the fight.
Many breeders recommend that your first dog be at least one-to-two-years old before you add a second to the family. If you have an old dog, they may not be physically able to play with or tolerate a pup.
Second Dog Syndrome
As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right. All too often, a second dog joins the household and the expectation is that they will behave as the existing dog in the home does, so they are often given the same freedom right off the bat.
There is no one size fits all answer to whether someone should euthanize their dog for behavioral reasons. It's a personal and often devastatingly hard decision. Always speak with your veterinarian and certified behavior consultant before you make any decision.
It is a common myth that aggression between housemate dogs is related to dominance and this misconception is unfortunate and sometimes leads to harsh correction methods. Dogs should not be punished or reprimanded for aggressive displays. Dogs should never be alpha rolled. Never.