[yorkietalkjilly]

Yeah, he needs you to work with a behaviorist and learn how to teach him to redirect and desensitize to the situation. Get one who leans heavily on teaching you how to deal with your dog as a positive, loving but firm leader of your little pack, as the problem is yours and not the dog's at this point.

You are going in the right direction in making him sit & wait for his food but he actually doesn't respect you as his pack leader or he would never behave aggressively or defensively during feeding. You are temporarily lacking some techniques in how you interact with him, or perhaps allow him to get away with, which is presently reinforcing the idea in his mind that you are tentative or uncomfortable in how you deal with him. You can learn how to change that and be positive, upbeat & keep him loved & happy in the process.

Once you learn how to establish yourself as a true leader, your dog will never even think about growling around you over his things as he will see you as his pack leader and love it. Don't worry - few are born with skills like this but they can readily be taught to you. In the meantime, Google and read some of the websites about the Nothing In Life Is Free method of dealing with dogs. It will help him begin to see you as his absolute leader(dogs are canines and understand pack mentality and hierarchy and need and want strong leadership so they don't have to assume it themselves, as they really do hate growling at us, being surly). Further, it will open him up to honoring your approach toward his food by backing away. That's how dogs do when their pack leader walks up when they are eating. It's just a courtesy, like we nod our heads to someone who walks by us.

Good luck finding some behavior help & don't worry, your baby can be changed to a happy, well-behaved little sweetie with some good training for both of you. In the meantime, read all that you can about positive-reinforcement obedience training and becoming your dog's leader. Stay away from anything that trains using harsh discipline or anything like that! Love, patience and fun training works better!