Majority of American household have more than one dog. One of the most frightening things a dog owner can witness is a dog fight.

A dog fight is usually the equivalent of a heated argument with a family member or a friend. The dogs may bark, growl and show their teeth, but most of the time, they don’t result in injury. Dog fights don’t last long. But if the fight doesn’t seem to show signs of stopping quickly, the dogs may end up seriously hurting each other.

Breaking up a dog fight can be dangerous. It can go bad in a heartbeat. For that reason, it is important to understand how to intercede and resolve conflicts early on.

Here are some tips on how to break up a dog fight without getting hurt.

Prevent dog fights

Dog play mimics fighting. Some would wrestle and nip at each other. But sometimes, the roughness gets out of control and you’ve got a full-blown dog fight.

As a dog owner, it is important to observe their body language and understand the difference between playing and fighting. Be sure to intervene and separate the dogs before it gets worse.

Calm down

Most owners will feel shocked, upset or anxious when their dogs end up in a fight. This reaction is completely normal. But when the dog looks at you and sees your reaction, it might send the wrong message.

Remember, you are their pack leader. Seeing this reaction, the dog may feel justified in being in an excited-reactive state. Keep your cool in order to put an end to the fight, rather than feeding the situation.

Use a loud noise

A sudden, loud sound will often interrupt a fight. You can stomp your feet, shout, clap or bang metal bowls together. If this works, then the fight will be over almost immediately. If not, then you might want to try a different approach.

Hose them down

If a hose is available, spray cold water on the fighting dogs. You can also dump a bucket of water on their heads or use a citronella spray and aim for their nose. Dogs will walk away in most cases.