signs of aggression?

Question
Two questions...1) We have a 4 year old Wheaten Terrier, Rudy. His is a super sweet dog, not at all aggressive to people or other dogs. Lately, however, he will very slightly bear his teeth and give a subtle growl at my daughter (10 years old) when she is in the kitchen around meal time. Even if she is not in the vicinity of his food bowl, he will show this behavior. It only occurs when we are cooking/eating our meal. At other times, when food (his or ours) is not present, he is fine. He does not show that same behavior to me, though he does get a defensive look on his face if I come particularly close to his bowl. I am aware of the natural response to protect his food, but he never showed this tendency before. In fact, since his puppy days, I've always worked with him to be comfortable when people approached his food, that there was no threat. I never wanted a situation where Rudy would snap at someone who innocently walked near him while he was eating. We do avoid him while he is eating, but being a social dog, he tends to prefer to eat his meal only when we are eating ours. I have thought of not putting out his food until after we have finished our meal...do you think this is a possible solution? But that still doesn't solve this behavior when we are cooking/eating and his meal is not out for him. Is he, perhaps, growling to try to scare my daughter away from her food (in the hopes that he will snare it), rather than percieving her as a threat to his meal?

2) Frequently, Rudy will take my pillow off the bed. He does this only to me (the Alpha-male) He does not damage it, just pulls it out from under the quilt and leaves it on the floor(he must have to work at this because the pillow is tightly tucked under the quilt when the bed is made). I don't know if this is an act of aggression (again, no damage to the pillow) or is an act of affection (just trying to get close to me when I'm gone)?

Answer
I think your question shows that you understand some of the dogs' pack status thinking.  At 4, he is a little older than books say dogs' personalities mature.  It sounds to me like he has decided he is a big boy now, and is competing for higher status in the pack.  

He definitely needs to learn where he stands in the pack.  The problem does not sound too severe now, but without good leadership, it could become much worse.  He must learn your 10 year old outranks him.  Even if he has already had behavior training, I think she should take him to 4-H early next year.  You might look in at any county or state fairs at the dog obedience shows that complete the 4-H year now.  You will be amazed at the great kids and dogs you will see.  In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year.  Even many urban
areas have 4-H.  For info look in your phone book under government listings
for extension or cooperative extension offices.  Ask specifically about a dog
or canine club.  The 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.  Too many books and classes are bout the dog getting a treat if it sits.  It should be about you learning to play the role of top dog.  A good 4-H program will clearly establish your daughter's proper status.  It is possible she is maturing and he sees her as a threat to his status too.

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