Glad you are getting help.

In fairness Pidge I think the picking up the food bowl thing is a mistakea massive number of people make. Loads do it. It didn't ever occur to me to be honest...the first time I ever heard about it was when we got our first guide dog pup and they said for us not to do that 'picking up the bowl thing' as it is pointless and only creates problems. It had never occured to me it was something I should do anyway....but I think it is something that has crept in with all the 'dominance' theories that are out there...in order to control your dog you must dominate and all that, therefore you must be in charge of food.

Don't beat yourself up...so many people do it as it is one of those things that is out there as something you should do with your dog.

Soooo is food aggression a sign of dominance then???

Seeing as people aren't beleiving in the alpha thing..

I wouldn't call resource gaurding a form of dominance....

I would say it has nothing to do with dominance and is usually resource guarding. Most dogs if left to their own devices are naturally opportunist eaters and will and claim and eat food as an when they find it because they don't know if and when they will eat again .

Thanks. I am feeling because I know I've done something wrong (which has caused him to be uncomfortable) and it's thrown my whole confidence out BUT I am not dwelling on it anymore as that wont help anyone! xx

Not at all. the complete opposite. What I've done is cause him to be wary and mistrustful of me and to react to that (by growling, freezing, biting etc). This is why I'm so upset.

Exactly.

True, although in a pet home environment and these days they are more grateful to us for being their providers and feel confident that we will feed them. It's when they don't feel this that problems arise.

No...don't dwell on it, you're right it won't help anyone.
Pidge, we all make mistakes...Biff used to be a nightmare as I knew nothing when we got him...(well maybe a bit more than nothing). He taught me so much (like it is really horrid trying to catch your dog at midnight in the rain when he won't come in from the garden!!!!!! He taught me the importance of a good recall and how not to teach it to him.... )
Every dog I have had has been a steep learning curve. Hugs x

Taking those hugs with a big smile on my face.

I just feel like I've let him down and as if I'm not as good as I thought I was. I've been going at it all the wrong way!!

Still, we're back on track now. He's happy, healthy, well loved and it's only a minor thing that CAN be rectified and we know how to do it!!

Wish me luck ;o)

You don't need luck.

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