Originally posted by bckrazy
I really, really strongly disagree. What if the OP's 2 year-old niece runs in and tries to pick out of the dogs food? What if someone drops a cooked bone and the dog grabs it and assumes thats his food? Dogs need to be conditioned to give their food up at any time, not only because its safe for people but its safe for the dog. A dog should NEVER "defend itself" against his owner! Although dogs are related to wolves, lets not confuse them with wolves. How would she even control his feedings without being able to pick up his food bowl?
As a responsible dog owner, if you have a dog that is food possessive, you should make sure your 2 year old niece is no where around when the dogs are fed. If a cooked bone falls and the dog gets it.... oh well, he gets an extra treat. I don't think I would use a bone that the dog had control of for human consumption even if I cleaned it off. While it may not offend me, I know it would offend some in my family.

While I agree that a dog should never defend itself against his owner (in an ideal situation), some dogs have bad leaders and are not taught proper ettiquet from the beginning of their puppyhood. It is a natural instinct to guard what is precious to them and food would be a prime target. They can be taught not to guard their food but it is not an easy process for a lot of dogs.

Even with trained dogs, unless I am using food to train, once I give the dog it's food, I never try to take it away to prove the dog will let me. If someone came around and took my food away while I was eating, I would be upset too!