What am I not doing?

[Freedom]

LOL, te joys of puppy hood!

You are on the right track, as Karen said.

She is a puppy, learning things. I ve not heard of putting your hand in the bowl, but it sounds like you did very well, she learned that if she wanted to eat, she best NOT growl. GOOD JOB! Do this few times, and then you will think you are all set.

You are going to teach her lots. Some she will even master. And THEN . . . your beautifully trained baby girl is going to hit the teens years and rebel; you will feel you have to start all over again! Just stick with your training, you are doing great.

She isn't a teen yet, she is still just learning. I'm just pointing out, you will see set backs now and then, for varied reasons. Don't lose heart, just return to consistent training.

[Asiel]

You're actually doing everything right. Every dog will test you at some time as Karen said and your pup is doing it right now. Just be persistant and make sure she lets you do what you want with her bowl. Every so often when you take her bowl you could add something yummy in it so she realizes that it pays to let you be the boss. Work with the NILIF method and the pup will get on the right track real quick. Make her sit, down or stand before she gets to eat, that really works wonders too.

[Sowa]

You're actually doing everything right. Every dog will test you at some time as Karen said and your pup is doing it right now. Just be persistant and make sure she lets you do what you want with her bowl. Every so often when you take her bowl you could add something yummy in it so she realizes that it pays to let you be the boss. Work with the NILIF method and the pup will get on the right track real quick. Make her sit, down or stand before she gets to eat, that really works wonders too.

Thanks, it's good to know I'm not messing up. She has to sit, and wait calmly before she gets to eat. Sometimes I get her to "down" and "paw" too. This is the first she growled at me, she has growled at my boyfriend before too. He corrected her as well.

[dab_20]

Your doing well. I used to do that with Sam when he was a puppy, and he hasn't developed food aggression until recently. I think he learned it from Molli.

Molli is horribly food aggressive at times. As long as no one bothers her she won't snap. It's NO fun to deal with, better prevent it than let it start!

She's so young and still learning. Seems like your doing a great job with her so far!

[luvofallhorses]

Yeah you are doing nothing wrong especially if you want kids down the line if you don't have them that is... is she on NILIF?? (nothing in life is free) if not, do that with her it helps a lot of dogs that are dominant or trying to be. Just don't put your hands in her food AFTER giving it to her, that really isn't fair really.
http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

[SWHouston]

I don't see that you're doing anything wrong what so ever, but...
just don't give it a Key to the Refrigerator.

[IRescue452]

I don't think there's any particular move you're making that's totally wrong. Hand feeding or putting your hand in the bowl is great for teaching tolerance around the food bowl.

I hate to be mean, but I do think dogs pick up on personalities and with all the questions you've had, you seem very insecure. Not that this is unusual for a first time owner, especially if they've been exposed to extreme training methods like the dog whisperer. I don't believe you have a dominant personality to begin with. Dominance does not mean you are mean to the dog or some sort of punisher. It means you are confident and can lead naturally. Know what you want to do and do it, don't go into a situation with anxiety that it may not work. Its not really something that can be taught though, only developed perhaps with time and experience.

On another note, I think sleeping in the pen is a bunch of bologna. Yes, it great for a dog to be comfortable in the pen in case of emergency, but it does not make you any more of a leader. Let a puppy sleep on your lap and they will learn to be secure and totally relaxed around you. Make them sleep in a pen and they will be a "lone wolf" only secure enough to be sleeping deeply when they are alone, alert and awake when you let them out to be around you. Why would they have to be alert and awake when they are around you if they can trust you? Don't forget to play and have fun and don't worry that tug o war is going to make her aggressive. The bond you form with your dog will determine how well they will listen to you. Free-will following is always better than a dog who follows against their will.