How to separate two fighting pit bulls?

Esel

Any advice on how to achieve this? Happened in my local park yesterday. Two young lads with pit bulls ("mother and son, so they shouldn't fight!"). They each had clamped on to the other, and would not let go. They were eventually separated after repeated dunking in the river.

I know they should have been muzzled, but they weren't. I carry a heavy stick, and if it had been my dog on the receiving end, I would have laid in ferociously with it.

I read years ago that travellers grab a dog by the knackers to get their attention, but what do you do with the bitch?

[edit] spelling

Gurgle

esel wrote:

Any advice on ho to achieve this? Happened in my local park yesterday.

A shot-gun should separate them fairly effectively.

But why wait until they're fighting?
Best solution to those nasty little f`uckers anyway

andy1249

Show em a picture of Mary Harney , works every time ,

Dave!

Gurgle wrote:

A shot-gun should separate them fairly effectively.

But why wait until they're fighting?
Best solution to those nasty little f`uckers anyway

bit harsh...

LovelyHurling

esel wrote:

I read years ago that travellers grab a dog by the knackers to get their attention, but what do you do with the bitch?

[edit] spelling

I wouldnt recommend touching them at all. The best thing to do when dogs are worked up like this are firstly to scream at it to get its attention, failing that, throw stones or some other hard objects at the pair of them, and actually hurt them, until they stop. Just keep back!

Water is preferable but by the time you fill a bucket of cold water the fight has usually been won... or lost.

Gurgle

DaveMcG wrote:

bit harsh...

I like dogs, but I don't count a pit-bull as a dog.

They're nasty little mutations that people only have as fashion accessories because they think it makes them look tough.

Dave!

I saw a woman walking a pit-bull the other day, and she had a pink collar and leash on it I think they can be great looking dogs, personally

EGAR

Gurgle, I have had Pit Bulls as pets for over 20 years and I do NOT have them as fashion accessories, being in my late Thirties now and wearing wellies for most of the day. Pit Bulls are great dogs for the right people, it's not everyones cup of tea, I understand that but one has to understand the nature of these dogs and one has to be knowledgeable . As to your shotgun solution; goes to show how ignorant some people are. Pit Bulls have been bred for fighting, yes, but they have also been selectivly bred for being easy to handle by humans in the pit (fighting arena). I would rather separate 2 fighting pit bulls than two fighting JRT :d. As I do rescue for Pit Bulls amongst other Bull Breeds, I alsways have a breaker handy in case of an accident. It looks like a wooden knife and has to be inserted between the molars as far back as possible and then twisted. It doesn't hurt the dog and one can easily lift him/her off the other dog. I DO agree that many muppets have dogs that they shouldn't have but that doesn't only go for Pit Bulls .

Sarah

Gurgle

EGAR wrote:

I DO agree that many muppets have dogs that they shouldn't have but that doesn't only go for Pit Bulls .

My apologies, I was over-generalising.

I'm sure they make a great pet/companion for someone who understands the animal and will put the time and effort into training them but more often than not imo, they are untrained and vicious fashion accessories.

Esel

EGAR wrote:

.. I always have a breaker handy in case of an accident. It looks like a wooden knife and has to be inserted between the molars as far back as possible and then twisted. It doesn't hurt the dog and one can easily lift him/her off the other dog. ..

Interesting technique, but most people wouldn't have an object like this at hand. Someone told me today they saw a pit bull yelp loudly and release it's grip on another dog when jabbed smartly up the ass with an umbrella. Probably painful but not too injurious. How do you feel about this technique? Also heard if you cover their nose to stop them breathing they let go when gasping. A bit too 'hand near mouth' for me!

EGAR

I have heard about the rear shoving as well but don't fancy doing it myself so I have no idea how effective it is. Any object similar to the breaker (which sadly originates from the dogfighting scene) is suitable to pry the dogs mouth open. The breaker is made out of timber so it wont damage the teeth but I think in a life or death situation any object similar to the breaker would do.

Sarah

@ Gurgle, yes, alot of people have them as "Saturday afternoon strutting dogs" which makes it very hard to re-home them to suitable homes. You wouldn't believe the BS I have to put up with from potential *adoptees*. A Pit can be a brilliant family pet as long as certain rules are observed and early socialisation is done.

Esel

EGAR wrote:

Any object similar to the breaker (which sadly originates from the dogfighting scene) is suitable to pry the dogs mouth open. The breaker is made out of timber so it wont damage the teeth but I think in a life or death situation any object similar to the breaker would do.

Problem is that such an object will not be on hand when needed. I will plan on longest key on my keyring (or a biro) jabbed up the rectum as first response. If no result, I will resort to heavy application of stick. I will be thinking of my own dog's life, not the pit bull's.

meowCat

Separating two fighting pit bulls is not that easy. After all they were bred to recognise other dogs as prey.

OP, how did the story end in your park scenario? Did the ppl manage to separate the two dogs?

Sometimes, if it's early in the fight a stern "no" will do and pulling the two dogs off each other. But that's only possilbe very early into the figth. Once they are really at it...I donno. I've once seen someone having a breaking stick. But I doubt many pit bull owners have such a stick, nor would they be trained in how to use it anyway.

Esel

From post #1:

esel wrote:

They were eventually separated after repeated dunking in the river.

EGAR

Esel, a stick will prove useless, believe me. And I wasn't suggesting that one dog's/breeds life is worth more than another's. BTW, it is illegal to have them unmuzzled and I think that a report to the dogwarden is in order.

Sarah