puppy feeding problem

Question
Hello my name is Sally and my husband and I are having a feeding issue with our new puppy- We got her when she was 5 weeks old and she is now 13 weeks old- our problem is and has been from the day we brought her home- she goes nuts when it's time to eat she runs to the bowl will knock you down if she has to and then she eats so fast, she has NO problem with letting me around her while she's eating will let me sit next to her and even pet her and put my face next to hers while she's eating but she just acts like a crazy puppy. She was feed with 7 other pups when we got her so maybe worried she will not get any?? How can we stop  this behavior? Please help!!

Answer
She needs some discipline, and it will take some doing.  If you haven't obedience trained her, you must start.  She is still a little young for a class, but not to learn, keeping sessions short, only a few repetitions at a time.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm  Here are some things for younger dogs too:  

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.  

Once she understands you are top dog and knows sit and stay, have her sit and stay as you prepare her food.  Every time her butt comes off the floor, make eye contact, tell her ''No, her name, sit, stay''.  Keep this up until the food dish is on the floor, then tell her free dog.  If she breaks sit as the food dish comes down, pull it back up.  If she manages to spill it, pick her up and secure her outside a door, in her crate etc. while you pick it up.  Then start again.  If the first day it takes a half hour, it takes a half an hour.  To slow eating, you can spread the food out on a cookie sheet or something.  Some of my friends just throw it on the floor of the crate.  You can also add some large rocks to her dish.  Either way, she can't gulp down one big mouthful after the other.