You are the pack leader and, as such, decide if a fight continues or not. A grown Rottweiler can inflict considerable damage with its bite. Most fights are not serious-often 90 percent sound and 10 percent fury--and can be broken up with a loud yell or by banging on some noisy object. The noise will distract the offenders long enough to gain control of one or both. NEVER, EVER REACH INTO A FIGHT-you could get bitten by mistake! If the fight is more serious, you will be able to tell. Serious fights are quieter and less haphazard; the biting is more directed and less random. The dogs bite and hold until they can get in a more damaging bite. No amount of noise or distraction will break up this type of fight. This is where you need to get serious. There are no fixed, tried-and-true methods for breaking up a serious fight. While we hope you will never witness such a nasty spectacle, a few suggestions are listed below.

If you have a serious fight, do what it takes to separate the dogs. Don't let them see one another after you've separated them.  Serious dogfights are an extreme case and most likely will not happen; however, it is wise to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised when introductions go well.

Suggestions for Breaking Up Serious Dog Fights
 

• Hose down the offenders. If this does not work, you may have to resort to drowning to get them to stop. Hose down their faces and fill their noses and mouths with water.

• You lift up the hind feet of one dog, another adult lifts the other dog by its hind feet. Since there is a possibility of being bitten, be careful.

• Pick up whatever big, hard object is handy and make lots of noise. Again, be careful as you may be bitten.