How to react if another dog attacks my dog

WHY DO DOGS ATTACK EACH OTHER?

Approximate reading time: 8 minutes

You have probably seen two dogs fighting in the park or your pet has even been attacked by another dog. Do you really know how to act in this high-tension situation? Although dogs are generally animals with a predatory instinct, it is not in their nature to attack members of their own species. In dog attacks on other dogs the motive almost always has to do with a misunderstanding of intentions or, in other words, a failure to communicate.

Dogs have a sophisticated communication system based on pheromones and body language. Occasionally, some animals may misunderstand gestures or smells and react aggressively. For example, puppies are often overly invasive when interacting with other dogs, as they have not yet completed their socialisation and learning of the canine code of behaviour. This impulsiveness when approaching other dogs can cause discomfort and reactive reactions. In other cases, there are dogs that have not received a correct education or have not been well socialised and do not know these “rules” of behaviour. It can also occur due to anatomical characteristics, such as breeds whose tails are unfortunately amputated. The position of the tail expresses a lot of information and can therefore lead to misunderstandings with other dogs. Finally, certain diseases cause a change in the animal's scent, which can be disconcerting and perceived as a threat by other companions of the species.

Table of contents

1. A dog comes to attack my dog, what do I do?

• Prevention is better than cure

• Keep calm

• Distract them

• Locate the other dog's owner

• What to do after the attack

2. Can my dog be traumatised if they have been attacked?

A dog comes to attack my dog, what do I do?

Now that you know the reasons why a dog may attack another dog, it is important that you know what to do if you ever find yourself in this situation. It is just as important to know how to act as it is to know what not to do under any circumstances, as you could make the situation worse and even get hurt. Let's take a look at some tips on how to react correctly when a dog attacks your pet.

• Prevention is better than cure

In most cases, dogs give warning before attacking. There are several signs that can make you wary of a dog interacting with your dog, which will help you avoid an attack. This is vital for your pet, as it will save him or her a very unpleasant moment that could cause injury and trauma. Never underestimate the danger of a fight between two dogs or believe that because one dog is bigger than its victim it will not attack.

If you notice the other dog growling through their teeth, emitting short, repetitive barks, and their whole body and tail are under tension, take this as a red alert. These signals are the last warning a dog gives before attacking. At this point, you should call your dog to come to you. This is why it is so important to teach your pet the call signal as early as possible in the training process, so that you can avoid any risky situation for your pet by simply asking them to come back to you. In this time of emergency, you can encourage them with a treat or show them their toy to make sure they come back to you.

• Stay calm

We know that it is very difficult to control your nerves in a situation where your dog is attacked, especially if the ‘aggressor’ is large and ferocious. But trust us, yelling, crying or trying to attack the other dog won't help. If an attack on your pet is imminent, stay calm. Behave as naturally and calmly as possible, avoiding raising your voice too loudly or moving agitatedly. Do not pull on the leash either, as you will only add to the tension of this already delicate moment. Holding your dog in your arms is not a good idea, as you will be handing them over to their attacker, who can easily bite them without them being able to defend themselves. Of course, don't try to hurt the other dog by throwing things at them or by getting between the two animals, as this will only make things worse and there is a good chance that you will get hurt.

• Cause them to be distracted

So what should we do if a dog attacks our dog? The best thing to do is to try to distract the attacker with a sound such as a whistle or a car horn. Then immediately move your pet away from the attacking dog. You can also try clapping your hands or making a strange sound with your voice, but try to make these signals as calm as possible and not to add to the tension of the situation. Try to use distraction methods from less to more intense to avoid making things worse.

• Locate the other dog's owner

Whether you are in the park or on the street, it is very important that you try to locate the owner of the dog that is attacking your pet. They may try to call their dog, distract it or, ultimately, grab their dog from behind to restrain and pull it away. If your dog has become involved in the fight, you can do the same with them, but first, try the ‘drop’ or ‘stop’ signal to get them to stop. If your dog is well behaved, which is very important for their physical and mental health, they will probably obey you and withdraw. Another option, if both animals are holding on to each other and will not let go, is to grab both dogs' hind legs to cause them to lose their balance and automatically release the bite.

• What to do after the attack

If your dog has suffered an attack, they are bound to be very frightened and nervous. Try to reassure them by talking to them gently, stroking them and gradually helping them to get back to normal. Check their body for injuries and call your emergency vet if your dog is badly injured. If you don't see anything serious, we still recommend a check-up to rule out internal damage. In addition, the vet may also do blood tests to check that your dog has not been infected with rabies by its attacker. If you have the cooperation of the other dog's owner, you can go to the vet together so that you can show the vaccination record to the vet.

You should also be aware that if the other dog's owner has broken any rules, such as not keeping the dog on a leash or refusing to give you their details, you have the right to report them. You can call the police at the time of the attack if conflicts arise with the person responsible for the attacking animal.

Can my dog be traumatised if they have been attacked?

Such an attack is a very stressful situation for your pet. It is normal that in the following days after the fight you will notice that your dog is more withdrawn or shy with other dogs, but if you see that this attitude is prolonged over time, you should seek the help of an ethologist or trainer, as your pet could suffer some trauma and it is your responsibility to help them through it and overcome it.

If a dog attacks your dog, you may also develop a little trauma and fear that it will happen again. This may lead you to avoid allowing your pet to interact with other animals or to pull on the lead every time they approach another dog. Watch for this type of behaviour and try to relax if you don't want to cause your dog even more trauma. If you transmit tension to your dog every time they interact with another dog, you will cause them to perceive these interactions as threats, which can lead them to develop nervous behaviours and end up encouraging the very thing you are trying to prevent - an attack by another dog.

Even if your dog is the most obedient and well-behaved dog in the world, problems can still arise with other dogs. That's why it's so important that you work on the call signal together, as it will help you to prevent and avoid fights and risks of all kinds. This way you can continue to enjoy lots of pleasant and calm walks together.