Only the Alpha Eats the Regurgitated Food

I have a year old Boxer named Faythe.  She is true to her Breed and stubborn as hell.  She is also the Alpha of the pets in my home and demonstrates her authority in various ways; especially when it comes to food.  I have another dog, a male, who has lost 10 pounds since we adopted Faythe simply because she controls how much food he eats.  I have even tried to close her out of the room where the dog dishes are located, but she just growled under the door at him.  He stopped eating and laid in front of the door; obeying her command.  What amazes me is the depth to which she will go to control her authority, her status, and the level of respect she believes that she deserves.  Case in point:  Early this morning, I noticed my cat smelling at something on the carpet.  Upon closer examination, I realized it was a small clump of regurgitated dog food.  I immediately went to the kitchen to grab the supplies to clean it up but when I returned, I found a confrontation between the cat & Faythe. The dog growled at the cat who backed away in response and Faythe went over to the regurgitated food, licked it, wrinkled her nose and moved away.  Obviously, the clump of food was not fit to eat (which I find incredible considering the dog eats cat poo out of the litter box like it is a delicacy). As soon as Faythe left, the cat once again moved in for the kill.  And, once again, the dog came trotting over, growled ominously at the cat and the whole process started again.  My dog was too stubborn to allow another animal to eat that clump of food even though the thought of ingesting it was distasteful.  To her, this was more than simply not allowing one animal to eat before she did.  This was a battle; a moment for her to reaffirm her standing in the household. That level of commitment is pretty awe inspiring but also seems exhausting.

My daughters follow a similar authority pattern.  On one side, my oldest daughter is very much aware of what she believes and wants in this world, but does not feel the need to pressure anyone to her side of the boat.  In fact, as long as it keeps the peace, she may just help you paddle.  On the other side is my youngest daughter who will go down with the ship as long as it means that everyone will acknowledge that she was right (even when she is wrong).  I distinctly remember my youngest having that innate confidence even as a toddler dictating which outfit she would wear for the day.  

I am starting to realize that we must be born with our own understanding of our status in this world; either with the ability to compromise or the assumption that your way is the right way.  I wonder, who is more successful as a leader and who is happier?  I have always assumed that being able to compromise is a gift but I have to wonder if having blind faith in yourself is less stressful because there are no second guesses; your path is clear and singular.

Is it better to be able to look at both sides of the story, understand your opponent, hear him out, and acknowledge that the other guy may be right, even if you don't agree?  Or, is it better to be so convinced of your authority in the hierarchy of the world that it would not matter what lengths you had to go to as long as your remained on top...even if it meant choking down regurgitated food?  

Any thoughts???