[SABELLESMOM]

Any breed or mix of dog can have food aggression issues. To lay that down to a classic Rottie trait is untrue and unfair. He's a foster. Fosters sometimes come with issues.

I see you've grown fond of him. He's at the beginning stages, and doing quite well, of learning to trust you. Dogs are very forgiving. They are capable of getting past many horrible things that may have occurred in their lives and still find love for humans. He seems to be doing that just fine.

Let me ask. Why are you finding it necessary to disturb him when he eats? Leave him be. You don't and may never know what situations have led to this. He may have had to resort to growling to get and keep his share of this very valuable comodity. Food sustains life!

It's an issue you can work on much later when trust has built between you. You can enhance trust by classes. You will never regret one moment of positive training you put into and yes...pay for...with your dog. Find the $. It's worth more than you can imagine to have a competent, positive method trainer show you and your husband how to train him. You must do it...not the trainer. The bond will grow beyond your dreams.

I do think you should be the primary trainer as you seem to have a bit of uneasiness with him. He's already a good dog, do the several sets of classes and you will understand what makes him tick. You will be rewarded many times over in the returning loyalty, love and devotion from him.

Once you've begun building, he will respond and you can begin to address the food agression issue. There are many here who have more experience with that than I.

There is one thing you can do now. Make him do something to earn his bowl being placed down for him. Ask for a nice "down." Once all elbows and butt are down say "Good boy!" and simply set down his food.