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A break stick is a device made to be inserted in the mouth of a Pit Bull (behind the molars) to gently pry its jaws open and release its grip on another animal or object.

Remember that Pit Bulls do not have any special mechanism or enzym that allow them to "lock their jaw", but they were bred to have an unmatched determination and to never give up.

Please read the following general guidelines before attempting to break a fight using a breaking stick.

Why Every Responsible Pit Bull Owner Needs a Break Stick
Because pit bull dogs have been bred for their fighting abilities and can cause serious injury to other dogs if a fight is not broken up quickly and efficiently. Keep in mind that most dogs fight differently than pit bull dogs. A pit bull's inherent reaction in the heat of a fight is the one of a Terrier with a prey. The pit bull will work to get a solid grip and then hold and shake. This is quite different than most other types of dogs who do a lot of random biting, growling and barking but will most likely quit when their opponent shows signs of submission. In many cases, a non-pit bull fight will be a lot of noise and snapping jaws, usually resulting in little damage. Since a pit bull will firmly grip and hold its victim, break sticks have been designed to break their grip. This is the safest, easiest and most effective way to stop a pit bull fight. No responsible owner should be without one.

Do not attempt to use a break stick on other breeds of dogs.

Attempting to use a breaking stick on breeds other than pit bulls could result in serious injury to the person using the stick. Since other breeds will do a lot of snapping and biting instead of getting a grip, it is very easy to get bitten. Do your best to remain away from their jaws. For the same reason, you also need to be very careful when separating your pit bull from another breed. Your pit bull will probably not bite you, but you may very well get bitten by the dog that you are trying to save.

Get Mentally Prepared
You will be better prepared to break up a fight if you have already rehearsed the procedure before the need ever arrives. Look into your dog's mouth and find the gap where the teeth do not meet at the very back of the jaw. This is where you are going to insert the stick.

Before Grip
If the dogs don't have a hold yet, you may be able to break the fight using other methods; jerking the dogs back with the leash or collars, a loud and firm break command, a bucket of cold water, water hose, wedging a baby gate between the two dogs, etc., may be enough to stop certain dogs. Be safe, don't put your hands anywhere near the mouth of the dogs.

If at least one of the dogs has a firm grip on his opponent, your best chance to break it quickly is with the break stick.

How to Break Up a Fight
It is safest if there are two people to break up a fight, but you can do it by yourself if you have no choice. If both dogs are going at it and you are alone, you might need to tie one of the dogs to something solid. When one of the dogs is tied up, you must "break" the one that is not tied first, and pull him/her off right away.

Walk over to the dogs, straddle one that has a hold, and then lock your legs around the dog's hips just in front of the hindquarters. Make sure your legs are locked securely around the dog. Your breaking stick will be in one hand, so with your free hand, grab your dog firmly by his collar and pull upward slightly.

Insert your breaking stick behind the molars where the gap is found. Sometimes you need to work the stick in just a bit if the gap is small. The stick should be inserted from ½ to 1½ inches into the dog's mouth.

Turn the stick as if you're twisting the throttle of a motorcycle. This action will open the dog's jaws enough to pull the dog back by the collar. If both dogs have a hold, you will then have to break the second dog from the first. Just remember... Straddle, Grab, Break!

ORDER BREAK STICKS ON-LINE

While breaking sticks are effective tools to break an accidental Pit Bull fight, they have been initially created by dog fighters in order to allow them to separate the dogs in a pit. It is a device often associated with the brutal sport of dog fighting. Since Pit Bulls have a strong fighting background, we recommend that pet owners also have a breaking stick as a precaution, even if they don't plan to use it in an illegal context. However, please be discreet. Breaking sticks are not something to brag about and the general pubic might have the wrong impression if you walk around with a stick in your hand. Breaking sticks are not illegal, but they are considered dog fighting paraphernalia in certain states and/or with certain law enforcement agents.

Source: Veronique Chesser

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