Resource guarding - Kind of long

[Tank_N_Moose]

First some back story: I got my dog in 06 (he's 5 in August) and have constantly worked with him when it comes to food aggression and what not to avoid any accidents. I joined the military in 2008 and then got stationed in the UK. To avoid him spending six months in quarantine I followed the plan to have his shots and micro chipping and all that done in the states then wait six months. In that time he stayed with my dad who has 2 labs and an Aussie shepherd mix. They are hellions. The Aussie won't let other dogs near whatever person she's around, his yellow lab doesn't listen for anything, and his old female black lab is so food aggressive it's ridiculous. Plus they're all obese. My dad was in denial about that FOREVER... Used to tell me "It's the lab barrel. They're supposed to look that way"

When I left for Basic my dog was fully grown and 75 pounds. He couldn't have cared less about food. I get him sent over here and he's 100 pounds and protective as heck over his food. Out Siberian Husky also stayed with my dad and gained zero weight as well as picking up no bad habits. I asked my dad over and over again what happened that Tank got so big and he said it was to keep him from jumping over the fence. I have no idea why he didn't just tie him up if he was worried about that. Or why the husky wasn't the same way 'cause they're escape artists like none other. Anyway now Tank (shepherd) begs like none other when you have any kind of food. If you have a pizza box or something out and he thinks there's something in he guards it. He even guards the dog food. He has no problem with people being near the food... I can put my hands all over him and in his food and he eats right next to Moose (Husky) when they both get fed. But god forbid Moose even look at him funny while he's laying next to something he's guarding.

I always correct him and pull him away from whatever he's guarding but that doesn't seem to matter to him. He goes right back to it a few minutes later. My husband jokes that it's because he's a fatty (I'm pregnant so I can't run with him as much as I would) and he's ruined.... I'm starting to worry if that's true Not fully true... I mean he's a great companion and such. But it makes it a pain because I want to get him into other activities for exercise, however he shows no interest unless it's food. Any ideas on new things I could try?

[trudy]

take control!! You guard the pizza box, its yours...glare at him if he comes near it, it won't take long for him to establish you are the boss, do it before the baby comes or you will be looking for a new home for him. Don't let him guard, stand over the box until its outside. food dishes are fed then immediately picked up!! Nothing should be down to guard. If you want to exercise him more try a ball or frisbee. Have him run with a bike, not too far, it is hot but its a start. Cut back his food, buy better quality food, some food is mostly corn and wheat and not that great. Check out this site
Dry Dog Food Reviews | Dog Food Advisor

Or feed raw. Try NILIF, look it up, Nothing In Life Is Free, start taking over again, you must control him and Moose, he can't tell Moose what to do. This can be done and you will be surprised how quickly it will come out

[Tank_N_Moose]

Thanks so much I'll work on guarding the stuff myself so he gets the idea. Luckily Moose just looks at him like he's an idiot and walks off. In true husky fashion he really doesn't give a crap about much. Also luckily it's never been an issue with humans. I think my dad's dogs have beaten it into his head if he doesn't get aggressive with other dogs he won't eat or something. I'm really not wanting to have to re-home him... I see ads all the time on the military site of people trying to give up their dogs because of babies or 'they don't have enough time' and it drives me insane. I REALLY don't want to be one of those people.