I have an eight month old Shih-tzu.  He is a wonderful dog, very lovable and quite well mannered until feeding time.  I got him at six months and everytime I attempt to feed him he goes crazy.  He will litterally do back flips to get at the food.  He eats it so fast that he doesn't even chew.  I have tried feeding him in his kennel, sitting with him and talking softly, encouraging him before eating, but nothing seems to calm him down.  Are there any suggestions?

well that is also my problem with my shitzu, he only eat dog foods.. try this let him hungry, and serve the food that is not a dog food..

Very energetic dog you got there. I can't suggest anything but to take him to the vet. They may prescribe a medicine that will calm your dog and never do back flips again just getting his food. Lol 

What about "free feeding"? That is where you fill their bowl with food and let them self feed through out the day.  The theory is that once they figure out that there will never be a time when they won't have food to eat they'll slow down and only eat enough to satisfy hunger. I would use a good quality dry food and not something he would be likely to gorge himself on like people food or canned, gravied stuff. You could also put some large rocks in his dish so he has to slow down and eat around them.

MHOTIFWIW

 That is a very nice idea I will tel that too my aunt because her dog golden retriever has the same situation very aggressive when eating time...And he eat like no tomorrow...

My labrador who is tweleve  now use to be like that also. She acted as if someone was going to take her food away. I realized she needed her space and kept the kids away when she was eating. She gradually started slowing down at meal time