Well it may seem odd but The movie producer probably didn'y just pull it out of his head,In one of Pat Miller's books either Positive Perspectives or Power of Positive dog Training she poses the question to several dor trainers of how to stop a fight. One of the trainers does use the finger to anus method and says it works. I'm pretty sure Pat says she would have trouble doing it, but I don't have the book in front of me right now. Both are truly books worthy of owning! I think I have considered carrying pepper spray if I or my dog are attacked while out hiking. But it is the first book I read which told you all the different options.

I was told a long time ago to keep an easily opened cannister of ground black pepper that could be shaken or blown into the midst of fighting dogs. I only had one occasion to try it and that occurred when a Chow visited the store (but was not part of our class), was allowed off his lead and attacked a collie bitch (who was part of the class) without provocation. I just happened to have it out and handy and it did a GREAT job of sending both dogs into dramatic sneezing spasms. It bought enough time to isolate the offender and hook him back up with his totally irresponsible owner.

Thanks guys- I used to carry around restaurant size pepper and never had to use it.
As far as Pat Miller goes...I would love to read that reference to breaking up a bite "in said manner". Before I posted the blog, I assure you, I tried to google it and you all don't even want to know what I found.

Yes it does work, but as you mentioned, that puts your face right within the dog's striking distance.

Another thing that can be done, to break up a fight, or attack, in emergency situations only, is grab the affending dog's back legs and when he/she lets go, throw. This will throw him off balance and catch him off guard. Anytime you try to stop a dog attack you risk the dog turning on you. You just have to decide what you will do if that happens. Each situation is different and may require a different method. It is best to have more than one method for this.

I don't watch that show and don't know the story line at all.

What REALLY distressed me when I read your blog was that they HAD to use a bull breed AND one with cropped ears. As a bull breed lover I see the soft eyes and mellow face of that dog and now it is not a "killer" but others won't. This is just one instance that will propogate the fear of bull breeds.

I think the owner/trainer of that dog is totally irresponsible to let his/her dog be used in that scene. It will just make more of an argument for BSL against the bulls. Why couldn't they have used a Yorkshire Terrier - now THAT would have been funny.

As to the techniques to get a Bull breed to release, or any dog for that matter, the jacket/blanket/towel over the head is the best one and the safest ....

..... and if it is a really serious fight, the blanket in conjunction with each owner pulling their dog backwards by the hips (not hind legs) works well.

Most Bulls are too bulky to reach their butt so if you pull by the hips, release fast, stand up and move away fast you shouldn't get injured. Pull a dog by the legs (not just bulls) that is hyped up enought to fight and you are sure to get bit because they have more room to maneuver if you are holding them by their ankles

Here is another aspect to consider when applying a stick, finger, pen etc. to a dog's anus, watch out for the POOP!!

Some people who show dogs (for either conformation or obedience) want to insure that there are no toileting errors in the ring. I have heard they insert a wooden match into a dog's anus prior to going into the ring to make the dog relieve him/herself - just as insurance that there are no accidents

Sandi

Pet Improvement
"Don't complain - train! ...and learn to love your dog!"