Do: Once the fight ends and you have calmed them you need to make a quick medical check. If one or both of the dogs are seriously injured you need to take the appropriate medical steps and get them to a vet immediately. Don't: Wait. If there are injuries - you need to get them help.
Step 1 - Immediately After a Fight
The important thing is to attempt to separate the two animals without putting yourself or others in harm's way. Once the animals have been separated and placed out of reach of one another, the next item of business is to check both dogs for wounds, blood, or bite marks.
Anytime a dog has been in a fight they should see a veterinarian to look for pain/wounds or signs of serious internal injury. If you are unable to see a vet the same day, you can clean small wounds with mild soap to keep it clean until you get vet care.
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.
It's better to prevent them than to have to stop them after they occur. 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.
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.
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.
In short, the answer is yes, a dog can be traumatised after a dog attack.
They can also become depressed after a traumatic injury or an attack from another animal.
Although fights are not usually to the death, many dogs succumb to their injuries later.
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.
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.
Just like human siblings, dogs sharing a household will frequently fight over resources like toys, food, treats, or cuddles from their favourite people. Hormonal changes might also be the culprits to fighting – this is especially true if they are of the same sex and one of them is sexually maturing.
Many common behavioral concerns, including fear, anxiety, and frustration-related behaviors, become more evident at social maturity and can underly an overly aggressive response. The younger dog may be initiating confrontations to gain access to resources, though that is just one possible trigger.
Some form of behavior modification (#1-4) is very important to success. Spaying and neutering of intact dogs may also help. Exercise can have a calming effect, so taking the dogs for walks or runs may be recommended. Punishment should be avoided as it may either escalate the aggression or redirect it toward the owner.
Depending on the severity of illness, it may take only a limited amount of time — 30 minutes — or a prolonged amount of time — several days — to stabilize a dog or cat. Prognosis is generally guarded with shock, and some patients may not be able to rebound, depending on age and severity of compromise.
“Dogs and cats may attempt to escape or flee situations where frightened, they may become aggressive when interacted with or if forced out of a hiding spot, may freeze or show avoidance behaviors such as hiding or becoming still, and fidget by pacing, jumping up, or repeatedly pawing at their owners.”
The dogs are placed in their corners of the pit, opposite corners, faces turned from each other and only the dogs and their handlers inside the pit. … The referee says, “Let go,” but the handlers must never push or shove their dogs and handlers shall not leave their corners until the dogs are together.
If left alone, the dogs will often use posturing and threats to end encounters without injury. If one dog backs down, the problem may be resolved. However, when both dogs are equally motivated to challenge, assert and posture, fighting will usually result.
A dog licking another dog's mouth area or teeth is called “appeasement behavior.” Dr. Angelika Firnkes states that appeasement signals are meant to show peaceful intentions and to try to get the other dog to be friendly in return. In this sense, licking behavior also signifies submission to a more dominant dog.
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.