There is Hope After Your Dogs Fight

Take it from dog pawrents who’ve been there.

When your dogs fight, it feels like the family you knew is falling apart. You may feel shocked, terrified, heartbroken, and guilty. But we’re here to tell you something that might not feel in the days that follow: there is hope.

Fights between dogs happen more often than many people realize. Some studies have suggested it happens in 30% of households with multiple dogs. If you’ve just experienced a dog fight in your home, you might be wondering:

• Will they ever get along again?

• Will one of the dogs need to leave?

• What do we do now?

Take a deep breath. It will not be easy, it will take time and it may not be smooth. But there is absolutely hope for your dogs to heal and be a pack again.

Here’s what we’ve learned.

1. We separate the dogs immediately and give them time.

After a fight, emotions and adrenaline are high, for both people and dogs. The first step is safety, emotionally and physically. We separate the dogs completely to prevent another incident. This might mean different rooms, different floors, or rotating who has free access to the home.

We suggest all dogs be kennels trained in advance, not just for situations like this, but vet visits, travel and many other scenarios.

How long should they be separated? There’s no universal timeline, but two to four weeks is a common starting point. It depends on the severity of the fight, the dogs’ temperaments, and how well they decompress.

Watch for signs that both dogs are relaxed and returning to baseline behavior before moving to the next phase.

During this time, give them structure and enrichment individually, such as walks, puzzles, training. And give yourself time to process, too. This was a trauma, and you deserve space to recover emotionally.

2. Rebuild trust through safe coexistence.

Once both dogs have calmed and you’re ready to begin reintroductions, focus on calm, neutral exposure. The goal isn’t to be best friends; it’s to coexist peacefully and naturally.

Start small:

• Let them be in separate kennels or crates in the same room. Just exist. No pressure. No contact.

• Graduate to having them in the same space with a sturdy gate or exercise pen between them. Observe body language. Praise calmness. (Check out this story on signs of dog stress.)

• Take them on parallel walks, not side-by-side just yet, but in the same direction with a buffer of several feet. This helps them associate each other with positive, low-pressure activity.

Be prepared to take it slow. Think in weeks or months, not days. Every neutral interaction is a win.

3. Adjust your expectations: neutrality is the goal.

It’s natural to want your dogs to cuddle again or share a bed. But after a fight, your definition of success might need to shift.

The goal isn’t friendship; it’s peaceful neutrality. Can they be in the same room without tension? Can they ignore each other while you cook dinner or watch TV? That’s success. Anything more than that is a bonus.

Some dogs will go back to being buddies. Others will never play together again and still have a good lives under the same roof. Don’t measure progress by how they used to be. Focus on the calm, safe coexistence they can build now.

4. We don’t hesitate to seek help, when needed.

   
   

This isn’t something you have to navigate alone. Dog behaviorists and experienced trainers (especially those using positive reinforcement and fear-free methods) can guide you through the process and tailor it to your dogs’ specific needs.

Final Thought: You Can Be a Family Again

Your home might feel fragile right now. But we promise, there is hope for a reunited family. Patience, consistency, and a mindset shift are crucial as you navigate determining whether your dogs can live peacefully together again.