What is the first thing I should do if my dogs start fighting?

If your dogs get into a fight, the very first thing you should do is separate them to keep them safe.

However, it is crucial that you approach this carefully to avoid getting hurt:

• Do not put yourself between the dogs or grab their collars: In the excitement of a fight, dogs may accidentally mistake you for the other dog and severely bite you. If you absolutely must physically pull them apart, it is best to pull them backwards by their back legs or tails (which ideally requires two people for larger dogs).

• Do not scream or yell: While it is a natural reaction, yelling just adds to the drama, heightens the tension, and often makes the fight worse.

Instead, try to separate them using safe, “remote control” methods:

• Use physical barriers: Slide a piece of cardboard, a broom, or a blanket between the dogs to physically block them from each other.

• Use water or sprays: You can interrupt the fight by throwing a bucket of water on them, using a water hose, spraying an unopened bottle of club soda or seltzer, spraying citronella, or even using a fire extinguisher.

• Make a loud noise: A sudden, startling noise, such as a foghorn, can sometimes shock them into stopping, though this usually only works once.

Once the dogs are successfully separated, assume a calm, quiet manner and enforce a cooling-off period. You can do this by putting them in down-stays, spaced apart (if they will reliably hold the stay), or by securing them in separate rooms or crates. Often, it is best to remove the aggressor to a neutral spot behind a closed door.