When it comes to canine conflicts forewarned is forearmed.

Dogs fight for a variety of reasons. Unneutered male dogs are usually the ones that charge. Some dogs simply can’t read the body language of others. You might even unwittingly put your own dog on guard by tightening the leash when another dog appears.

If your four-legged friend gets in a fight with another dog, the No. 1 rule is don’t get bitten trying to separate them. You can throw liquid in a dog’s face or spray him – if the liquid isn’t hot or you have a hose nearby. Better yet, another person is nearby, you can each grab a dog by the hind legs and pull them away from each other.

After making sure the dogs can’t see each other, take a moment to calm down. Examine your dog for signs of wounds like blood, limping or licking. To be on the safe side, have your veterinarian take a look too.