I have broken up two - life or death fights once was malumte saint and the other was wolf collie - BIG animals. the other was malamute Saint and newfundland.
there is no stopping them with water, or shovels - the first took two strong men (me on the malamute saint tail) and the other on his dog's tail, and waiting until they broke for a moment.
the other stopped instantly when the saint (my dog of course) accidentaly bit me in the middle of the fight - it stopped post haste when he realized he had made the ultimate mistake.
Scene: Canndo's dog and another, in a brutal struggle for dominance.
enter, stage left, Canndo who attempts to restrain his dog
Canndo's Dog: **Bite** Deafening silence, all action stops.
Camera one: tight zoom to canndo's arm in his dog's teeth.
Canndo's Dog: Jowls twitch, moving along canndo's arm, exploring whats in his teeth. eyes slowly move to canndo.
Canndo's Dog Emote: Shock and horror
:: Longo ::
Canndo's Dog: gently release canndo's arm. cock's head left, whimper and grin.
Canndo: silently reach for cricket bat.
Action: Cue Yackety Sax, and commence Benny Hill High Speed Chase
and SCENE!
Cut it, Print it, put it in the rushes!
genius.