Help Please!!

[SamoyedCrazy]

***Afterthought---This dog was impounded as a puppy--a family took him in-for a WHILE- brought him back to shelter once he apparently was getting 'too big'.
Dummies!!!

My kids and I went (after a loooooooong think about it period) to the humane society to get a doggy.
We all suffer from depression, and the doctor suggested it was time to get another dog, since our last one died of cancer a few years ago--
TROUBLE....
This samoyed beauty and I had an instant connection, so we chose him.
Rarely barked--smiled ear to ear--
Mind you, we drove a bit over 2 hours each way to get to this place--
Here's the bad news...
FOOD AGRESSION!!!
First night he was home, my sons friend came down to see the new addition to the family-
He noticed the dog was spilling some pebbles of food out of his bowl as he ate; the friend got down on his knees to gather them, planning to dump them back into the bowl for the dog-
Nope...
The dog beared his teeth-the boy jumped up--dog jumped up--
attempted to (fully open jowls) grab the boys arm in his mouth-
Scared the boy, so he twisted quickly around out of sudden fear, and the dog only managed to rip his shirt-
More severe thing happened last night to my son-
The dog had gotten into the garbage-
Had a big noodle that wasn't fully cooked (neighbor's cooking not mine lolol)-
My son, used to our last dog, said OUT- again, louder, OUT--
I didn't ever think the dog would do this, as the folks at the shelter raved about his wonderful disposition--which indeed he does in fact have--until you touch anything he considers to be HIS food.
Put it this way--If I did not THROW my laptop down, fly out of the recliner, and risk certain additional damage to my rh arthritic knees-- my son would have been MAULED.
Aside from this though, he's beautiful, sweet, cuddly, intelligent, protective, potty-trained, etc.
Even knows SIT, AND SHAKE!
This, all from a shelter; I was/am impressed.
I'm also terrified!
I will not accept the theory that I just need my kids to always tip-toe around this dog while he's eating--WE are supposed to be the dominants of the house!
Also--doing so would not solve the underlying problem-
Other kids will come around, and the dog does clearly show a dominancy problem.
I've never had anything but a puppy (younnnng) out of a shelter, to avoid learned agression-
The only thing I'm asking is this:
What would YOU personally do?
Keep in mind, this is supposed to be an emotional therapy pet-
Ack...
Thanks.

[krazy4birds]

This is probably not what everyone would think a good idea but I for one would not risk my childrens well being (or as you say friends visiting). I am afraid I would try to adopt a more gentle dog for my family. I would not know what else to do.

[originalfatc]

Figure all the time in the shelter this dog felt he had to protect what was his, and no one had time or knowledge to work around this.

Food agression can be curbed, but you have to ask yourself " Are my children old enough to follow a set routine handling the dog?" and "Am I prepared to follow through consistantly also?" If the answer is "yes", you may be able to work this through. If "no", than honestly the best bet is to adopt him out to someone better equipped to work with this.

I've had the best results with constant obedience, stay, leave it, etc. Then I've hand fed the dog so he connected food was given to him, by me, a few pieces at a time. But then, I am quite experienced with behavior problems and I have NO children at home.

Its a long, uphill struggle. Make a decision comfortable to you and your family and get help from a professional!

[Top Dog]

Food Aggression is very comman in dogs,
now first of all there is a couple ways of solving this problem, first of all there is about a 12 inch radious around the food bowl which is considered off limits in the dog world, my ex-husband was famous for this he would take without asking a french fry off my plate and this would anoy me to no end. Anyhow if you put a choker on the dog and leash, with an adult holding onto the leash, place the food dish and allow him to start eating, after a few bites hold the leash straight up pulling him away from the dish then the kids could remove the bowl and place a tasty treat on top, like liver and place the bowl back down. What this does is teach the dog that whenever his bowl is removed we are not taking it away from him but something better comes back. He will make a big fuss at first that is why it is important an adult is holding onto the leash so not to allow the child any danger. There are other ways but this is the most gentle and safe way of dealing with the problem. Protectivness in a dog can be a good thing or a bad thing, some dogs get protective when there is no reason to be, you should consult a dog trainer or behaviourist on this problem to insure safty!!!!!!!!!!!

[DiegoDog]

Lol Top Dog I think that is the shortest reply I have ever seen you post!

[SamoyedCrazy]

Thanks for your help everyone--
Took him back today, exchanged for a youuuuung puppy.
No prior problems needed here.
This is supposed to be a therapy pet, my son having bipolar, became absolutely terrified of this dog.
We now have a very fuzzy, sweet tempered, un-housebroken-
lol puppy-
lab/aussie shepherd mix-
adorable--
(no food agression)
Kids ARE taking bowl away in the middle of his eating-
Only big ordeal now, is to find a wonderful name for our newest addition to our family.
hehe..
I can handle THAT.
lol
Thanks again.

[DiegoDog]

Well I hope the new owners of the dog can handle him. Good Luck on the new puppy. Can't wait to hear its name.

[SamoyedCrazy]

Excuse me!?
This wasn't an issue of can I handle this dog....
This was outright deceit on the part of the shelter adopting him out.
If I were SINGLE without my kids' safety at risk, I would have given this dog EVERY bit of me.
Thanks for putting such a negative connotation as to my 'abilities to handle' an aggressive dog.

[originalfatc]

??

The shelter maybe unaware of this problem, they don't have him in a home situation with children. People tend to lie or cover up facts when surrendering otherwise the dog may be considered unadoptable.

I don't think anyone questioned your own personal ablility, suggestions were offered and then it was up to you to decide if it was workable in your own case or not.

With children at risk you have to consider that first!

[DiegoDog]

Calm down Samoyed. It was not a pot shot on you. All I meant was if the next people own take up with the dog are say, first time owners they may not be able to handle the food agression. I was not commenting on your abilites. I am sorry you saw it that way. I bet in a different situation you would have worked through the problem but you put your family first which I totaly agree with. I hope the new pup works out well.