Breaking Up Fights SOP (2)

If the dogs are dragging leashes, two handlers should each grasp the end of a leash without placing their bodies close to either dog’s head, and pull the dogs apart.  When reaching for the end of the leash, bend away from the dogs.

If the dogs still do not separate, two handlers should put on kevlar gloves and separate the dogs using the handstand pull apart: each handler grasps a dog firmly by the hips in front of the hind legs, and pulls back and up to move the dogs apart.  

If dogs are not dragging leashes or you can’t reach them safely, spray water on the dogs’ faces with a hose, or dump a bucket of water over them. Once the dogs have stopped fighting, move them away from each other using leashes (lasso with slip leads if not wearing leashes), or the handstand pull apart (see below) if necessary.

Spray citronella near or on the dogs’ faces. Once the dogs have stopped fighting, move them away from each other using leashes (lasso with slip leads if not wearing leashes), or the handstand pull apart if necessary.

If a dog is holding on to another with his mouth, one handler should grab hold of the “latching” dog’s collar/harness and insert the tapered end of a break stick into the side of the dog’s mouth behind the canines. Twist the break stick (like throttling a motorcycle) to open the dog’s jaws, then immediately pull the latching dog away from the other dog. A second handler should be prepared to immediately move the other dog away using a leash or handstand.