Reprinted with permission from -, and copyrighted by -, Susan Meredith Dunivant

This procedure particularly useful in forcing a dog to release a grip on another dog or animal... with as little damage to either as possible. It is great for those times when a dog nabs another at a show.

First,
determine who is the aggressor (usually the one with the death grip on the poor unfortunate).

Second,
straddle the back of the offender, gripping the scruff of the neck or collar firmly with the left hand (unless you are a lefty, then switch).

Third,
place the right hand palm down tightly over the nose of the dog gripping the other. This will effectively cut off the air supply and force the dog to open it's mouth, and with this let go. Make sure all the air is cut off, panicking the dog into releasing. It helps to have another person control the Kerry who was attacked as many times they will try to retaliate.

One of the best things about terriers (at least those with sound temperaments) is that they can distinguish a human intervention and generally will not flail around to bite once it sees who has it. Obviously isolating the pair is a good idea before checking for injuries.

I watched David Johnson calmly hand over to another exhibitor a Welsh Terrier he was getting ready to take in the ring and enter the AmStaff ring to perform this manuever on a large male with a poor little bitch down on the floor by the neck, choking her as all the AmStaff people stood watching in shock (this was at Chicago Specialties some years back). I always thought it was kinda funny that a Welsh/Airedale person had more presence of mind and know-how on how to break up such a fight than those people who own a "fighting" breed. Go figure....

Last Updated: 12/19/2002, 4:15 pm