Using words carelessly.
v.17 Wild dogs. Don’t meddle in someone else’s quarrel. Doing so is like grabbing a wild dog by the ears. In ancient Israel dogs were not domesticated and ran in wild scavenging packs. Grabbing one by the ears would be inviting serious harm.
v.18-19 Dangerous weapon. Don’t deceive someone as a joke without regard for the consequences. This would be as damaging as a mad man shooting off a dangerous weapon. You should not play jokingly (or recklessly) with a dangerous weapon and likewise not with human relationships.
v.20-21 The fire goes out. A fire will go out if it lacks fuel (wood) to keep it going. Similarly, quarreling stops when there is no whisperer (gossip) (16:28). A quarrelsome person is the fuel to the fire of strife.
v.22 Words of gossip. The words of a gossip are like delicious food (chicken soup) that goes down deep into the soul (the inner parts). Essentially the same as 18:8. Gossip is seductive but the damage goes deep.

Read Proverbs 26:17-22