I've been changing my dogs to raw (fantastic results) I've given them each, after their main meal, a lamb bone appropriate for size and age.  I've a 9 yr Elkhound bitch and a 5 month JRT X. I'm scared of having them in the same room whilst eating tbem, but these are bones they could enjoy all night.  I feed their meals in separate rooms using a mesh panel across the doorway and Elkhound has shown some aggression to pup - though she's fine over carrots (a treat) letting him take bits from her mouth and she out of his.  She also cleans up after him but I don't let either go in the others bowl.  Even with 'normal'  treats there's no problem.  Both are great with me as I tend to add to their food, not take away.I just don't know what to do or how to approach this. I am very nervous and don't want to spoil their relationship that's been wonderful to date.
I'd love it if they could settle down of an evening with a good bone to chew on.

I never feed my three in the same room mayhem would break out if one finishes before the other.and since one weights 4 kg and one 43kg I can't afford a mistake Also if giving bones I wouldn't leave them alone just in case of a problem they should always be supervised.I would have them separates but with you around

I'm in a agreement with furriefriends.  You can't safely get away with dogs eating bones next to each other.

I always let mine have bones together but I always give at least twice as many bones as dogs so that there are more than needed. I also don't give bones in the house as they stink, so it's outside only.

Thanks furriefriends.  You don't think I'm over worrying then.  There's not so great a difference between my two, 21 kg & 5.5kg, as yours, but it's still a lot. That's not my biggest worry, Heidi's always listened to me and will stop - she knows I protect her. I just don't want to spoil the relationship.
I don't feed them bones if I'm not there.  When I give them longer lasting bones it'd be nice to do so of an evening.  I have seen a few pictures, and heard people talk,  of multiple dogs happily eating bones together.

Just don't. 
Bones are extremely high value items and even peaceable dogs might find reason to guard and defend.
"Don't" doesn't mean no bones ever, it just means find  a way of spacing the dogs out so they have room and peace, and can enjoy what is a very satisfying and natural canine occupation.

Thanks.
I felt I was being too soft, too much a 'worriter' and/or incapable.
If experienced people like yourselves wouldn't do it, I'll definitely not.

I will still give them bones, of course, just separately.  Chicken wings don't take them so long as the lamb bones they had tonight (1  - 1 1/2 hrs +) I could try giving pup his big bone in his cage in the same room but that's probably asking for trouble too.  They'll just have to only have the bigger bones 1 or 2 times a week

I always fed  recreational bones all together (up to 6 dogs of same size) but always had spare ones, so there was always enough for everyone even if someone just had to grab two.

Actual food bones I'd stand over them while they ate their portion.

> I always fed  recreational bones all together (up to 6 dogs of same size) but always had spare ones, so there was always enough fro everyone even if someone just had to grab two.

If that works for you and/or others, then that's cool, I'd love that scenario myself....  It's just wise to appreciate they probably do need extra space, and not to expect them to be comfortable, or insist on it.... anything closer is definitely a bonus.... a bone bonus :)

What do you mean by 'recreational bones'?

They have chewtoys and are fine.

The bones tonight were part of a meal.  I wonder if I could/should have let them be together with them once they'd finished the best meaty bits.

We have 5 dogs who will all eat and share their bones togeather and never a cross word/growl between them.
Recreational bones (very hard and last for ever) eg, beef, are permenantly all over the place.
The softer type of bones, lamb, pork, chicken are the type dogs can eat/consume, (very nutritional), part of feeding rations.

I always give many more bones than dogs, I never have to worry about arguements or fights, just throw the bones around and the dogs make their own choice which ones they want.
I can if I wish give just one dog a raw bone with all of the others watching, they just wait their turn!!
However bones in this household are not "special" items, we have such a good supply. I can also take a bone away at any time and for any reason from any of the dogs without worrying if I may have a hand left.

I think your suggestion of leaving the bones for the dogs once all of the best bits and meat have gone might well work. You know your dogs better than any of us.

Thanks Wait Ok
I like the idea you Brainless and Golfmali do re twice as many bones as dogs. 
How should/could I first approach this?  I know I need to make sure I can take a bone off both dogs first, something I need to reenforce with pup.  Also, I won't give them the food/high value bones together.  I've lost confidence generally and, after having had to rehome a bitch some years ago for fighting dreadfully and constantly with Heidi, older bitch, I've become wary of fighting.

1.   I don't raw feed
2.   IF mine had bones, when we had multiples, they had them OUTSIDE and separated (other parts of the garden area) with ME there to watch.   The trouble with mine was although I'd call and give each one, by name, after a couple of minutes checking the bone they'd been given, they'd break off and look at what the others had - and want the bones the others had.   Unless I'd step in, there could have been trouble.  On that basis, when we had significant numbers, they didn't get bones.   Obviously if raw bones are part of the normal diet (raw feeding) it's different, but in general, apart from something like Nylabone etc., mine lived (survived) perfectly well without being given bones.

If you are concerned about giving your two bones, don't.   Or if you do, give them bones in separated areas.

ps  I'd never leave any of mine with bones, unless I was there - and certainly not overnight.

no you arnt being silly it is worth finding out how others do it. I know what mine would be like if they could see and get to each others food/bones and it wouldn't be nice. Its quite usual here to have gsd outside gnawing a bone, fcr on her bed and little tiny has the cloakroom . Mine don't have recreational bones as such just bones as part of their dinner but it makesno difference ,same bones different label.
recreational bones are usual those considered separate to a meal. just be careful if you are giving the large weight bearing marrow bones they are really hard and do risk tooth breakages so worth removing when the meat has gone.

Basically the dogs need to become blasé about the bones and not find them special in the same way as they currently view chew toys.

So as said food bones are eaten as part of a meal and should be gone in a few minutes.  All mine are fed in the kitchen about two or three feet from each other in their own feeding station.

I no longer feed al raw, have in the past fed half and half, now feed raw when I can get some.

Sadly recreational bones are a thing of the past (as can't get enough at a time, and no storage to stockpile), and we make do with cow Hooves for recreation.

> we make do with cow Hooves for recreation.

Good aren't they? 

I've found that it works out much cheaper for me to buy a box of 100 online to get a good price.  Ideal if, like me, you have nearly 100 dogs.    

Seriously? Nearly a hundred? That's amazing!

Yep, I get them by the 100, but just 6 dogs.

You got me there! I bought that hook, line and sinker......... I was trying to imagine how much poo there'd be!!

I can't thank you all enough for sharing your time , ideas, experiences and thoughts   You have all given me so much to think about.   I think maybe(?) at this stage I'll play safe; definitely give food and food bones separately whilst keeping an eye on whether to open things up a bit - separate rooms without barrier could be a possibility.

I love feeding raw.  In older Elkhound the difference I see is wonderful: dog breath, tear stains and  large stools gone (I never thought Id take so much interest in dog poop) reduction in amounts of food needed, without the empty stomach vomiting, leaner and more energy!  Sorry, slightly off topic; I'm just thrilled with it & hope it keeps her ( & him) healthy for years.

Back to the bones, safety first - I'm in awe of those of you who successfully feed bones to many dogs without issue but, as I said before, I've lost confidence and think that may (no, will) transfer to my dogs as they pick up on how I am and possibly cause trouble.  I am going to keep training leave, especially with pup, and respect of boundaries all round (sorry for any Caeser Milan reference) and let them enjoy their other stuff in common areas.

> I bought that hook, line and sinker

    I do tend to be tongue in cheek - you'll get used to it.

I do have a lot of dogs though.  And don't own a kennel.  They all live in the house.  All 22 of them.  I do have a great amount of outside space, and do need to pick up daily.  But they all have to do as they're told.  I can't just do obedience with the Collies and leave Chihuahuas to get away with murder.

How many of each do you have?  I can't imagine how you cope with so many, especially in the house.  How on earth do you find the time for training and walking?

Funnily enough,  I had two collie X bitches, both rescued as 2 yr olds, about 2 years apart. I had no problems - well after a while anyway.  Can't remember why not though ;)

I tried to work on the basis of 6 being an ideal number BUT once we started getting oldies, and we never homed those we kept from our litters (usually - I did, twice when I had issues with a male who started challenging his uncle and a bitch we'd bought in who stirred everybody up - came to a head when she was in season and had to be confined ... big mistake calling her Havoc), our numbers did creap up.   We were up to 12 at one point, but that included two I had in for boarding for 3 weeks, which extended to 5 months after their home was destroyed in a tornado.    That number was plenty enough when we had no external kennelling.   Until we had oldies, exercise wasn't a problem but once the oldies couldn't do as much as the younger lot, we had to do 'two strings'.

Looking back I (my husband just went along with my madness and he could get out of the house to work!) must have been mad.  But I did know when to wind down - so we now had 2 hounds, neither of which I bred

Havoc: I love that.  I nickname pup Jaws!  I'm in awe of you that manage so many, though it can be as difficult with only 2, if they have different exercise needs.  Also, splitting them up, for walks, being in season etc I find hatd as they're missing their doggie friend.
I don't think  you're all that mad.

I've done an interesting experiment tonight.  Went to Morrison's for the reduced meat (go on the right day and it's really cheap).  I fed them then spent quite a while splitting into daily portions.
The trays were then left with blood and meaty bits so I shared the blood in 2 trays without separating them. This went well so I then gave them each a tray to lick out. Pup wanted in on both so I remembered what people have said and chucked around the rest of them to let them sort it out.  No problems though Heidi's been very polite and pups having great fun chasing them all round the place.  I'm hoping this may help reduce the value of meaty foods.

I imagine there's a huge amount of work involved with 22 dogs ( and a huge amount of doggy love).
Do they all get on? Or are there some combinations that don't work so well?

> Do they all get on?

I work on the premise that if there is any growling to be done, then I do it!  Did obedience with Collies all my life.  And did obedience and tracking with a Toy Poodle many moons ago, just to show that I could.    Boy did the hardened BC people get peed off when she was chosen to do the "leave" demonstrations to the baby Collie classes.  Tee hee!

I have to be honest, once you have trained dogs any newcomers are shown the ropes by them all and it really does become pretty easy.  I no longer ask for everything, but insist on recall and leave.  She who must be obeyed LOL.

When I was working I had a shift worker doing dog sitting duties (once came home early to find the TV blaring, and him spark out on the sofa with 7 dogs fast asleep on top of him!)  The Collies get taken out by a dog walker, and a neighbour does the Yorkies.  I do the Chi's as you can take hundreds in one go - I know, I exaggerate a trifle.  I have COPD so can't give enough for walking the Collies.

It takes an hour to feed as I weigh every single morsel.  But it is a wind down job for me,, I find it therapeutic.  I am not a big TV fan and I won't have a computer downstairs.  I choose to have these dogs and I should be interacting with them not browsing the net.  We all know how you can get carried away and spend too long on the PC.

Now that I don't work it is heaven.  When a dog comes up asking for a love I don't have to get them to wait.  I can leave washing up, or whatever I'm doing and they can have as many cuddles as they want.  I have never been so happy.  You now know more about me than anyone!

> How on earth do you find the time for training and walking?

See reply to Rpozzieretriever for my life history. 

Your dedication shines through in every word, Jean, I bet your dogs adore you!! I had to laugh about it being you that does the growling - I think that applies to people as well as dogs too! I retired last Christmas and it is so nice being able to wake up to smiling furry faces and decide what we're going to do that day. And time for cuddles too. I'm sorry to hear about the COPD - I confess I didn't know what it was so I looked it up. It must make life quite difficult at times and hope it doesn't get in the way too much. xx I shall now take your advice, put the computer down and take my girls for a walk while it's still cool enough!