Aggressive Papered Golden Retr.

Question
Over the past year our golden has shown food aggression towards us.  He is generally a very mild dog.  This aggression picked up when we took on a lab from my mother.  They seemed to settle nicely with some quirks...the food is not allowed to be done in house due to his aggression.  He has bitten us-my 17 year old, myself and nipped at husband.  It is not just a bite or nip you can read it in his face and body when he is aggressive.  We have a few tricks to know when he is ready to be around us.  Over the past week it has escalated-we thought we had under control.  Last night he was laying on loveseat I walked by to go to bed stopped and talked to him & petted him he attacked me...did not break skin but left welts & bruises.  He followed me upstairs to bed layed next to my husband who made him get down due to his misbehavior and some fear.  We decided he needed to stay out for the night I was scared of him bc he would bite me.  Husband got his collar nicely dog turned on him bite him punctured his fingers and arm.  He was gotten a hold of put outside.  Now my question we are about to have him put down he is 4 1/2 years old--is there a medication or something else we could do we love this dog so much--but all are very afraid of him

Answer
Wow - I am so sorry for you and the entire family.  Yes, I would have this dog put down or give to a dog trainer that wants a challenge.  This dog is dangerous to all.
This happens sometime and it can be a brain tumor or other pressure brewing in his system.
If it is a tumor, it can turn a dog in a matter of months.  Also, this problem can be genetic in nature.
I had this happen to myself, hubby and my two sons, we did put our dog down.

We have some behavior experts here at Allexperts.com/
I am not sure if they can help at this point, sound too far gone.

Blessings to you and your family.

Marie Peppers LPN MA