Food agression

Question
I have a 9 month old golden retriever, he has had food guarding issues since he was about 5 months, i had a trainer in at that time and i thought we made good progress, but now i realize i think i was managing the situation as opposed to solving it, Teddy is a very obedient dog and walks well off lead and is generally very well behaved and follows commands well, he has regularly attended training classes and does very well he is very friendly (a little over friendly if I'm honest) i have three young boys aged 8 5 and 2 and is generally very good with them, this morning however, my toddlers picked up some food off the side whilst i left the room to pick up the phone and spilt it and this resulted in a bite to his arm. the damage was not enough for medical attention but was obviously a bite. not quite sure what to do now, i have booked the trainer to come back, but feel i can no longer trust him at all. so my question would be, do dogs get over this sort of problem and become a member of the family again. we love him so mach and apart from this problem he is a wonderful dog. Lisa

Answer
Too many trainers and classes fail to teach the most important thing.  If the owner doesn't learn proper leadership, you will have such problems.  The dog must understand that the owner and all the children in the family out rank it.  As the dog matures, it will only get worse.  You must learn your proper role as top dog.  You can get a good start at http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

I am not sure the same trainer will be able to solve the problem.  You may need to work out of a good book.  

Here is a list put together by the professionals at a dog guide school for those caring for their dogs.

The Cultural Clash by Jean Donaldson, 1996

Excel-crated Learning by Pamela Reid, 1996

Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor, 1996

Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1993

Second Hand dog, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1988

Dog Problems, by Carol Lea Benjamin, 1989

Super Puppy, by Peter J. Vollmer, 1988

HELP, Mt dog Has an Attitude, by Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994

Owners' Guide Better Behavior in Dogs and Cats, by William Campbell, 1989

What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991