Food aggression

ORIGINAL: Angelique
I appreciate a look into your feeding ritual and how you incorparate new members into your pack. It sounds like your dogs sense your boundaries and leadership without you having to make a big deal about it or get forceful.

In the end, a lot of this is about our attitude and presence rather a more physical control. IMO

I agree with you (I know it's a shocker, twice in one thread!) 

It's good to take precautions while establishing house rules for feeding.  However, once those rules are established, the precautions can become a bit more lax, though the boundaries remain intact.

Aggression is not trained out of a dog. it is controlled and managed

 
Wow, someone needs to post that in BIIIIIG letters and all snazzy colours.  With neon lights around it.  That's a fact and one EVERYONE should bear in mind.  While it is true that training is mostly opnion-based, this is not an opinion.  It's a solid fact. 
 

  "My dogs are not for "average" pet owner who has no desire to confront. "
(There should never be a desire to confront a dog.As a responsible pet owner,the desire should be to provide a non confrontational living environment that will limit, to the utmost ,situations where stand off will occur.Physical confrontation,such as alpha rolls,can very well lead to physical retaliation due to pent up anger inside the animal in question.Physically making your dog submissive is a short term answer that could very well lead to a long term problem.With my own challenging dog,I would liken it to a chess match.By outwitting the dog and getting my way without humiliating him,or laying a hand on him,He learns who is more wiley,and physicality never enters into it.Not everyone is 6'2" tall and weighs 210 lbs.

 
I agree whole heartedly and I urge the OP to take this advice on board over and above ANY advice to induce corrections at feeding time or "making the dog submit" via physical, confrontational methods.  It is more enjoyable, much safer and it follows logically to me that your dog's trust in you will be far greater and your bond stronger.

I think that perhaps the reason why he attacked Maybel after the food was put away was because it was still a stressful stituation and my husband had forced him to submit/lie down and perhaps that was the wrong thing to do. ...
I am not sure why it was suggested that we can't leave Scout free with the girls.

Because Scott attacked Maybel with no food present and Scott may be part pit bull.  Whatever the reason for the attack, I would feel better just not leaving them home alone and loose with each other - at least for the time being.  
 
When Scott is over two years old you will have a better idea of what his true adult personality will be.  Do not underestimate the dog-dog aggression that has been bred into pit bulls!! 
 
I would just rather be safe than sorry.  [sm=2cents.gif]

i would suggest feeding the girls seperate from scout. maybe outside the sliding door, or in their crates or in opposite corners.

its a tough situation, but coming from being a stray you never know who he was fighting food for.

We have a large crew of dogs here...some food aggressive some not.  My advice...FEED THEM IN THEIR CRATES, and leave them alone during feeding time.
 
I don't understand why they need to eat together.  Feeding time for a dog should be peaceful and stress free.  Let them do it alone.
 
 

A note to the OP....
 
"Cane Corso" has no idea what he is talking about.  I assure you he has no real experience in dealing with this type of problem. I encourage you to disregard his input in it's entirety for the safety of you and your dogs. 
 
I would not normally say something like this, but his advice is dangerous.
 
I would find  a educated pro in your area for help with this problem.

Feeding time for a dog should be peaceful and stress free

[sm=wink2.gif]Agreed; 100% - with both PAC posts..

Thanks for all the advice. Scout had his "growl-fest" [] on Good Friday.  Since then we have been feeding the two females in their cages and him by himself in another room.  We have not had a problem.  We have even established a little game with him after he is finished eating he finds me to play the game.  He love to chase a red laser light. After he eat he chases the light for a couple of minutes and then goes outside.  After that, I let the girls out and pick up all the food bowls and let the girls outside with him.  They play and we haven't had a problem since.  I know that there will still be times when we have to watch them like when we drop food for when one dog vomits up their food I will have to on my toes but I will have to deal with it.  For now, I will take what is working and continue to work with them.  I have also taught Scout to sit and wait for his food.  He has to wait by is food bowl until I tell him that it is okay for him to eat.  I think that that routine is helping him stay calm as well. 

It seems you are in the right track []

He love to chase a red laser light. After he eat he chases the light for a couple of minutes and then goes outside.

 
Please wait for at least 10-15 minutes after feeding time to do this, longer is better.  If a dog exercises too strenuously right after eating they are more susceptible to bloat and stomach/gastric torsion. 

Thanks!  I didn't think about that! 

Also, if your dog "won't" eat in his crate (I would simply take dinner away for a day or two if he hadn't eaten when it was served - bet he'd eat in his crate then), you can simply put him in the bathroom, or a bedroom behind a closed door.  Please take Janet's warning seriously, and listen to PACLeader, who is a professional behaviorist.  Food aggression can quickly escalate into "dead dog", and getting aggressive with your dogs is not the answer.  Do have some "Direct Stop" on hand - it's harmless citronella spray - but it may help if these dogs get into a serious fight.  Incidentally, it's not unusual for dogs to block each others' way.  They are asserting their status, one over the other.  The way to deal with this is by becoming a leader yourself.  That requires training each dog to respond to your wishes, not each others'.  If you can tell dog A to sit/wait while dog B passes, or if you can tell dog C to "go to your place", you don't have such a problem, and ALL the dogs learn that YOU are in charge of the pack. 
There's a good DVD by Trish King on the subject of "Multiple Dogs" - Tawzer Dog Videos will have it.

Thats great!  Sounds like my home.  Remember food is so much a part of every day life so continue very gradually to keep the need for food at a lower level and promote other needs such as socialization and your leadership.  Good luck and gives us an update soon.