Dog Fights: What to Do When Play Turns Ugly

Have you ever thought about which dog is more likely to start a fight—a Golden Retriever or a Belgian Malinois?

Most people assume the Malinois. But in this case, they’d be wrong.

This story isn’t just about dog fights—it’s about what happens when play escalates, how even experienced trainers can get caught off guard, and what you should do if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.

When Play Goes Too Far

Meet Prince, my right-hand Malinois. He’s a working dog, but he’s not a fighter. He loves structure, chasing his ball, and keeping the peace. Then there’s Buddy (not his real name), a Golden Retriever staying with me for training. These two had always played well together—until one day, they didn’t.

It started like any other morning. They were running in the field, playing as they always had. But this time, Buddy was bolder—getting in Prince’s face, pushing boundaries. Then, the mistake happened.

Buddy lunged for Prince’s ball—his absolute favorite thing in the world. And in a split second, play turned into a full-on fight.

The Reality of a Dog Fight

Two 80+ pound dogs, locked together. Snow flying. My hands too clumsy with thick winter gloves to get a grip.

I knew better than to reach in—getting bitten was the last thing I needed. But nothing I tried was working. I couldn’t twist collars, couldn’t get leverage, and my go-to method—cutting off air supply—wasn’t an option.

At one point, I ended up flat on my back in the snow, screaming for help. But no one could hear me.

And then I did something that goes against every instinct—I walked away. Not because I was giving up, but because I needed another plan. My goal was to grab a bucket of water from the kennel house.

The Unexpected Ending

But by the time I reached the sink, both dogs were behind me—tails wagging, as if nothing had happened.

Prince had a swollen face, a few scrapes, and a minor bite. Buddy? Not a scratch. And just like that, the fight was over.

Why?

Because when I removed myself, the fight lost momentum. No audience, no energy feeding the conflict.

Lessons Learned from the Fight

1?? Know Your Dogs.

• Play is great, but tension can build subtly over time. Watch for changes in behavior before things escalate.

2?? Stay Safe.

• Never put your hands between fighting dogs. If you don’t have a break stick, air horn, or water nearby, don’t risk injury.

3?? Sometimes Walking Away Works.

• In this case, stepping back de-escalated the situation faster than anything else.

4?? Always Assess the Aftermath.

• Even if the fight looks over, check both dogs for hidden injuries and give them space to cool off.

What Would I Have Done Differently?

Would a break stick have helped? Maybe. Would a bucket of water have worked? Possibly—if I had one within reach. Could I have stopped it before it started? Hindsight says yes, but dogs will be dogs.

The truth is, fights happen—even to professionals. The key is to learn from them and be prepared next time.

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Watch My Video - How to Prevent & Stop Dog Fights: Expert Tips for Dog Owners