An update: Aries is eating without me guarding his food anymore. Of course, my grandma hasn't come back yet.
I'm not against kennels. I frequently recommend them. There are a number of reasons they won't work for this situation. I have been a stay at home mom until recently. I took him with me, and trained him to me for my daily life. At the time, I didn't see the need for a kennel because he was always leashed to me. To potty train and tach him free house behavior, I used my master bath as a kennel, and slowly gave him more freedom as he earned it. If I go somewhere he isn't allowed, he has the run of my house. Before you judge that, recognize that he earned it- and not once has he violated that trust. I even tempted him after I knew how trustworthy he was, with a plate of fresh bacon on the floor. I left the house for some shopping. I wouldn't have been mad at him for taking it; I was just trying to test if my intuition was right. I WAS!! He didn't touch the bacon. I don't want to spring a kennel on him now because it would be counterproductive to my goal. I could play a starvation battle of will in the back yard or in a kennel. I love the idea of kennels. They are a wonderful tool. Because of my situation, I raised him without, and I'm not about to add stress on top of stress.
I tried the slowly backing off approach. He responded so quickly, I am now able to throw his food, stand over while he grabs his first bite, then go inside to let him finish. I hope it sticks even after grandma comes back

Sounds great!

I will never criticize when someone allows their dog freedom in the house.

Every dog is different and you know our dog.

Hopefully when grandma come back she will be willing to do a little work on this with you and the dog.

That will go a very long way toward future training success.

 Quote: Nicole hardman

An update: Aries is eating without me guarding his food anymore. Of course, my grandma hasn't come back yet.
I'm not against kennels. I frequently recommend them. There are a number of reasons they won't work for this situation. I have been a stay at home mom until recently. I took him with me, and trained him to me for my daily life. At the time, I didn't see the need for a kennel because he was always leashed to me. To potty train and tach him free house behavior, I used my master bath as a kennel, and slowly gave him more freedom as he earned it. If I go somewhere he isn't allowed, he has the run of my house. Before you judge that, recognize that he earned it- and not once has he violated that trust. I even tempted him after I knew how trustworthy he was, with a plate of fresh bacon on the floor. I left the house for some shopping. I wouldn't have been mad at him for taking it; I was just trying to test if my intuition was right. I WAS!! He didn't touch the bacon. I don't want to spring a kennel on him now because it would be counterproductive to my goal. I could play a starvation battle of will in the back yard or in a kennel. I love the idea of kennels. They are a wonderful tool. Because of my situation, I raised him without, and I'm not about to add stress on top of stress.
I tried the slowly backing off approach. He responded so quickly, I am now able to throw his food, stand over while he grabs his first bite, then go inside to let him finish. I hope it sticks even after grandma comes back

Happy to hear this issue is being resolved, Nicole Keep up the good work with Aries !!!

Clapping hands, Nicole, this sounds awesome!