[jazzalyn]

Hi,Sounds as if it could be a natural guarding instinct, In a litter its survival of the strongest.
I have great trouble coaxing my little yorkie girl to eat I asked someone who had come to see me to pick up her bowl and pretend to eat her food, now she will sometimes eat when she knows someone is at the door, if she does not want to eat it, she will stand by it to guard it.
After she has sniffed the food in her bowl and walked away I sometimes put her food on the floor, then I gently shuffle my feet which often makes her eat because she feels threatened someone else will get it.
Obviously there can be lots of reasons for a dog gulping their food. I am not a vet but have always been interested in dog psychology.I wonder if a starting place would be to move your dogs feeding place to somewhere she feels really safe,a nice undisturbed corner, this might make her feel less anxious.It may take a bit of time.
Would she overeat if you left food down all the time,leaving it down may take the apprehension she feels about food away.
Does she trust you to take her food away and put it back,I feel that you should be able to do that with toys or food, the dog then knows that you are leader of the pack and will look to you and feel safe. Good luck.Jazz