If another dog viciously attacks my dog, is it legal to kick it to make it leave my dog alone? It will vary from state to state but generally you can do what ever is necessary to protect your dog as long as you keep it reasonable. Otherwise yes, you can hit, kick, choke, etc to make it release your dog.
Do not kick or punch the dog if at all possible (that might escalate in their arousal). Once the attack is over, immediately get yourself, your dog or your child away. Don't turn around, try to get further control of the situation, or try to find the owner. Just go.
Although unpleasant to consider for most people the dog's eyes are another soft spot which you should aggressively attack (gouge with your finger or thumb) if required to defend yourself. Another strategy is to kick the dog in the rib cage. This will wind it and could stun it enough to ward off any more attacks.
Punishment should be avoided. The dog-dog relationship will not be improved if you scold, punish or hold down a dog as punishment; in fact you may make it worse by punishing the dog for signaling and communicating their aggressive intentions.
The safest and most effective way to treat an aggression problem is to implement behavior modification under the guidance of a qualified professional. Modifying a dog's behavior involves rewarding her for good behavior—so you'll likely be more successful if your dog enjoys praise, treats and toys.
"These techniques are fear-eliciting and may lead to owner-directed aggression." In other words, if you kick your dog because he tried to bite you, he might end up owning your foot. The study involved dogs that were so problematical that their owners were willing to seek professional help.
If that's not possible, choke it. Don't straddle the dog, but get into a position with the bony part of your forearm against its throat and put pressure on the windpipe "for at least 30 seconds until the dog is unconscious and has stopped struggling," says self-defense specialist Charles Prosper.
Pearson closed by saying always report an animal bite to your local animal control or area hospital, which are required to submit a bite report. After that, animal control or local police departments will follow up.
Now granted, while many of us love our pets and consider them more than property, legally speaking, animals (including dogs and cats) are just that. This means that if a dog just sprints towards another dog and bites it, the owner of the aggressor dog will bear responsibility for any injuries to the unprovoked animal.
If your dog has bitten someone, it's natural to question whether you can ever trust them again. The good news is that in many situations, a dog that's bitten can go on to live a long and happy life with no other incidents.
Don't Let the Dogs “Work It Out”
Years ago, people used to believe in letting dogs fight to work it out between them. This is dangerous for both dogs and for nearby people. Also, the dogs may never get along after such a fight.
Typically self-defense against an animal is legal. That extend from kicking, all the way up to killing, depending on the situation. Few pro tips, Yell at it and order it away.
Don't give in to fear or anxiety, and don't start yelling or kicking at the dog. An aggressive dog wants you to be stressed out before it attacks, but if you remain calm and in control, it slows them down and throws them off. Also avoid direct eye contact with an aggressive dog.
For locked-on dogs, twisting the collar cuts off their air supply,and they will eventually release. Another high-risk option for those Bedlam situations is a break stick, a short stick that is inserted from the side between the jaws, and wedged in until the attacker lets go.
Most dogs have a fairly short memory of a one-off event. However, your dog may remember being hit if it happens on repeat occasions. They might form a negative association with the circumstance in which the hit happened.
If he isn't used to seeing you pissed off, your shouting or angry gestures will put him on edge—and that could lead to barking, nipping, or trying to settle the fight himself. In some cases, your dog may even start to associate your angry or aggressive mood with your partner's presence.
Forgiveness brings stress relief.
Both tended to spend more time together after the conflict regardless of if they had an existing relationship. 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.
Making a loud noise may help distract dogs from a fight. Try blowing a whistle or using a foghorn near the dog fight. Sometimes, a loud noise is enough to catch dogs off guard and break up an altercation.
Whistle with a sharp note or ultrasonic: Dogs have sensitive hearing and a whistle with a sharp or ultrasonic tone can be effective in shutting down a dog that's engaging in aggressive behavior.
Aggression in dogs can be due to guarding territory, resources, or a family member; fear; frustration; prey drive; or pain. In all of these situations, a dog may be pushed too far and can transition quickly from reactive, fearful, or guarding behaviors to being aggressive.