"both owners were trying to separate the dogs"

• form a distinction or boundary between

  "only a footpath separated their garden from the shore"

• become detached or disconnected; move apart

  "the second stage of the rocket failed to separate"

• stop living together as a couple

  "after her parents separated she was brought up by her mother"

• discharge or dismiss (someone) from service or employment

  "this year one million veterans will be separated from the service"

"the processed milk had separated into curds and whey"

• extract or remove for use or rejection

  "the skins are separated from the juice before fermentation"

• distinguish between or from others; consider individually

  "we cannot separate his thinking from his activity"