The Safest way to break up a fight is to grab the most aggressive dog by the hind legs and pick its rear up like you are holding a wheelbarrow. Then you back up pulling the dog with you. Since the dog is now supporting itself on two feet only, it is not likely to want to continue fighting, and it is very difficult for it to tune on you.

Then get the dog out of the room, behind a door, or wherever is handy as fast as you can so it is separated from the other dog. If two people are present, each can grab a different dog and wheel him backwards.

(Disclaimer: There is NO safe way to break up a dogfight. If you do not feel confident and are not willing to risk a bite, let them fight!)

Keep the dogs separate for a number of minutes that corresponds to the severity of the attack. Seven minutes is fine for a slight squabble. Up to 2 ½ hours may be needed for an extreme fight.

Re-introduce the dogs together immediately after their time out. You have to know your dogs. It’s best for the dogs to do this off leash however, you have to know what to expect and be able to read the signs of an impending rematch. So, for the casual owner, it is better to leash the dogs, although there is actually a better chance of them making up if they are off leash.

When you reintroduce them, Give positive praise and encouragement & treat, treat and treat again (Before you treat, make sure neither dog doesn’t have food aggression before you feed them near each other or this will start another fight) Continuously feed treats to both simultaneously, one every few seconds. Do not encourage them to get too close, but allow them to if they want to on their own. Then separate them for a while after just a minute. Repeat this a number of times during the day, each time keeping them together a little longer. End on a happy note, let the dogs think you are not at all worried, but secretly keep an eye on them every minute for the next few days at least!