food aggression

Question
We have two dogs - a mixed breed most likely pit and weimeranger (?sp))
who is 2 1/2 and a sheltie who is 11.  They get along well often playfully
except for specific situations with food.  They have no problems with their
typical meal time.  The pit mix has displayed food aggression when a special
meal is being prepared or when treats are distributed.  This has only
happened very sporadically.  The last time seemed more aggressive with the
pit mix actually breaking skin on the sheltie.  We have stopped these "special"
circumstances with food but are concerned about whether this behavior will
expand and perhaps include children.  What should we be addressing and
how or where should we go?

Answer
Has the dog displayed any food guarding behaviors with humans? Dogs can resource guard from both other dogs and from people. But many dogs will guard from their own kind but never against humans. A really good book to read on the subject of resource guarding is "Mine" by Jean Donaldson. It will help you understand the problem and give you tools to avoid it. And probably wisest to give special treats or toys only when the dogs are separated. Sandy Case MEd CPDT www.positivelycanine.com