toy poodles fighting

Question
I have three toy poodles who have been together for three years with no problem.  I took the older poodle, who is the most timid, out by herself to visit a friend.  When we returned, the other two weremost upset.  Later thatnight and through today the younger poodle attacked the one I took out (the timid one, the older one) and I don;t know what to do.  I ahve spanked the attacker andhave separated them, but am afraid that I am exacerbating the problem by letting the attacker know that I am favoring the little one.  Help

Answer
Hello Carol,
You didn't say which dog of your is the Boss Dog, but I can assume that it is probably not the older dog.  You need to make the dog that is attacking the older dog submit to the older dog.  To do this, you need to hold the younger dog down on her side with her head on the floor and not let her up until YOU say she can get up.  While she is laying down, let the older dog come up and sniff the other dog.  If the younger dog growls or attempts to get up, hold her down and make her lay there until she relaxes some.  By doing this, you are letting the younger dog know that YOU are Top Boss in the household (even if she is the "boss" of the other dogs) and that you have the say as to who bosses who around.   Repete the process if she tries to fight the older dog again.  The main thing you must do when doing this is to make the younger dog submit, so be sure to keep her laying down until she relaxes, and will lay still on the floor.  When you do decide to let her up, just turn and walk away and let her get up on her own.  
Separating them will only prolong the problem and they will just fight when they do get together.  
By showing them all that you are the top boss, they will respect you and therefore each other better.  

Try it and if you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim