It is a domanance thing but remember you should be #1 not the dogs.
If the older dog does something that you think is not okay or even just kinda being pushy it could lead to something worse. I I perfer to egde on the side of caution b/c i have seen big dogs get into it pretty bad b/c the owners have let them run a muck.
Allot of ppl think this can't happen with little dogs but it can.
When you see something that you don't like (b/c your top dog

) then stop it and let both dogs know that your the boss.
Ceasar Millan uses Ch--- shound and it works with my bella. I only use it when she does something I don't want her to do.
Good luck.