Dominance issues

[Bella's folks]

We have 2 pugs, both females . One who is 10 and the other who is 5 who we have only had for nearly 3 months now. Overall they get on great until recently at feeding times. Tango the youngest is always finished first and if she goes near Bella fights start. We have tried keeping Tango away from Bella until she walks away from her dish but if she even gets wind that Tango is trying to get near her the fur flies. I am obviously concerned about injury. 10 minutes later they are the best of buddies again. Tango is clearly the more dominant - ahead when out for walks, first to greet you etc. I have a water spray which I use to get them to stop but what can I do to stop the fight starting in the first place?

Would it be best to feed them separately?

Any advice would be welcome.

[Fla. Pugs]

As long as I have had pugs or any other breed of animal, I would never feed them together.
I have three males whom get alot very well.
However, when it's feeding time I place each bowl far apart in the same room.
I also stand and watch them closely as they eat. I never leave them alone during that time. They will break out in a fury if I even think of stepping out of the room.
When one is finished before the other I give him a direct command to leave, and he does. If not I pick him up and remove him.

[Lisa&Izzy&Aggy]

I feed my girls in separate rooms. Food is the one thing they will fight over.

[ViralMD]

ABSOLUTELY feed them separately.

I'm not a fan of the spray bottle - too easy to cause eye injury....

[arthursmom]

Feeding time can get very ugly here as well. Two eat in their crates and the other two are separated with baby gates. As long as food is not involved they all get along great!

[Bella's folks]

Thanks for those tips. We don't actually feed them together what I meant was in the same room at other side of the kitchen. Think separate rooms will have to be the answer.

[Mechelle]

Would it be best to feed them separately?

yes ,yes ,yes ,yes....Bella seems to be food aggressive at the food bowl...what I would do if I were you, is feed them in their crates....if you don't have crates, baby gate the kitchen off and feed one in there, and the other in another room in your house ....DO NOT let them out until both are finished!!! This is what I would do if I were you!

[ChiPugMom3]

I have two males and two females and they will fight (all 4 of them) over food given the opportunity. I feed them by putting one and sometimes two in a different room to eat and then the others are placed far away from each other in the kitchen and I do stand there and guard to make sure no one goes near each other.

[shaynapug]

I stand near mine... I block them from going to other dog's bowls til they are finished! That way...I'm there if they choke too!

[Brookles]

I stand near mine... I block them from going to other dog's bowls til they are finished! That way...I'm there if they choke too!

I do the same thing. They never linger over their food, though, so it's not like I'm waiting long.