To give you some background, my 2 papillon boys are both about the same age (almost 5 years, and 4.5 years), both neutered and I've had them both from pups although they are not related.  The more dominant one is about a kilo heavier than the other one.  Both have always got on well although they have totally different personalities.  I have just had to go away for 4 weeks (the longest I've ever been away) and left all my animals at home with my usual dog/house sitter.  I've been back for just a week and now when I return home after being out for a couple of hours or so the dogs have started fighting whilst I'm trying desperately to unlock all the doors to get in.  This has never happened before and I'm not sure what to do for the best.  I can't shut them in separate rooms and I'm reluctant to crate them although I may have to if this keeps happening.  It's always the larger, more dominant one who seems to be causing the problem, although I can't actually see them until I enter the house, only hear them.  What is the best way for me to handle this situation?  I'm finding it quite upsetting.

I'd say you definitely have to crate at least one of them while you are unable to supervise them. I know what my own Papillons are like, they get so EXTREMELY excited when people arrive (more than any other breed I've had) -and when it is my children that arrive (once a week), they can instantly tell when the car arrives, somehow they know the kids are inside it even though it is the same car that usually brings just my husband, and they go absolutely nuts, screaming, jumping and barking with excitement.  It sounds like it is excitement that brings these fights on and was triggered by the fact you were gone for a while so they are extra excited each time you get back home. I'd make sure they were separated one way or another and then not pay them any attention when you come home until they are calm.

Thanks Marianne, I thought that's what people would suggest.  I agree it's excitement and I think the more dominant one is probably trying to "tell" the submissive one to keep well out of the way while he greets "his" mum.  Would you suggest I crate both (my preference) or only one?  Although I always say "hello boys" when I come in I rarely ever fuss them until I've taken my coat and shoes off and they've calmed down a little.

What about a baby gate separating them so they can be close to each other if they wish and still have plenty of room to wander about but separated?

Not possible, brainless.  I'd need a wall through the middle of the living room to have somewhere to put the dog gate.  However today when I went out I left the dogs with access to the porch room.  I can ONLY do this on relatively warm/mild, dry days.  However it worked.  I only have the one glass door to unlock when I come home (instead of about 3 doors) and the dogs were clamouring at the door to get to me as soon as they saw me coming.  Another time, especially after dark, I'll try crating them and see how soon I can phase all this out and get them back to normal.  Thanks for suggestions.

> I'd need a wall through the middle of the living room to have somewhere to put the dog gate.

Is this the only room you can leave them in?  Is there a door into your living room or a pair of rooms with doorways to divide them?  Unless you can keep them calm when you arrive you may find this new behaviour will continue if they remain in proximity to each other when excited.

Depending on the size of your living room you can get room dividers, they are basically tots play pens that fold into any shape you want them and are designed to be able to fold out in room dividers, they are very sturdy and high enough to keep them apart.  I have one here which is very handy as it means I can seperate my large kitchen in two if needed.  They also fold up when not in use. 

Do you not have a kitchen or something off your living room that you could put a baby gate on?

To dogs a babe and karenclynes - I live in Spain and Spanish houses do not conform to the usual English house design.  I have a large living room with direct access to the garden.  No hallway and the kitchen is the far end of the living room.  Also it's difficult enough here to find a baby gate (dog gates don't exist) let alone kiddie play pens. I don't want to put either of the dogs in a bedroom.  What I tried today worked so, as the weather is forecast to be good tomorrow, I'll try that again.  (Porch room on it's own is freezing so no good for shutting a dog there to separate it).  After that I'll try crating for short trips out and see if that settles them.  This problem has only arisen since I went away for 4 weeks so hopefully they will revert to their normal selves before too long (still excitable but not fighting).