How to stop male sibling cairn terriers fighting

Question
I have 2 male sibling cairns aged 11, the smaller one is the dominant dog the larger one starts the fights. The larger cairns is very jealous, he seems to perceive the other as getting more attention also he doesn't like his sibling coming close when he's getting attention. The fighting occurs when I've come back from the vets with the small one, or he's sat next to me sometimes it appears unprovoked he turns very quickly from a sweet dog to a vicious animal. Blood has not been drawn yet but he tends to go for his throat fortunately he hasn't bitten through the collar but I am very concerned. The dominant dog uses licking of ears and pushing his toy into the larger male to assert himself, he does fight back but is disadvantaged after his cruciate operations. When I play ball games my larger male always wants to steal the smaller ones ball or toy and has even set on him. The trouble maker tends to be indifferent to other dogs and prefers human company. My question is how do I resolve this problem and at what stage should I intervene.

Answer
Hi Marianne,

Great questions! I am going to assume you mean 11 months because they sound like competing teens. One thing that will help immensely is to move away from the dominant dog theory. You are the dominant dog and their job is to do what you ask them to do through structure and training.

Take every instance that triggers their aggression and look at it from this POV: "What can I teach them to do that is incompatible with fighting?"

If it's because they have not seen each other for awhile, then when you return-let one come into the house apart from you or give them some time in different rooms to acclimate.

If it's because you are sitting next to one then the second you feel it's changing simply get up and walk away. Or do not let them elevate onto the couch until they are more under control.

Licking ears ands ball shoving could also be perceived as submissive, so steer clear of assigning rank, it may be that you are viewing it differently than they are!

Structure ball playing and as soon as one of them tries to control the game-game over!!

Your intervention should be prior to fighting as that is the end of the sentence -not the beginning! If you start to decide the rules of your house rather than the dogs fight it out, both will be very relieved because it sounds like neither is doing a very good job of it anyway!

If they scrap-use time outs for both. You'd be surprised how quickly they will turn around when they realize that their actions result in losing you! Consistency is key-everytime they start up=they get removed from each other and you!