I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this but wanted to get other thoughts. My GSD is going to be 4 years old in June. My husband has always kind of rough housed with her when playing. When she was younger and wouldn't eat my husband would some times get down on the floor with her and pretend to eat her food.. She would then eat. She has never been aggressive towards me or my husband. Last night she had a flossie chew and reallly doesn't even like them but was nibbling and licking it. My husband got down on the floor with her and was pretenting he was gonna get the chew. She lunged at him and if he wouldn't have jumped away (in shock) maybe might have bit his face. I couldn't believe this. Well he did it again and she again lunged at him with teeth showing. (I know he should not have done this again and should have taken the chew away). Well I think we were both in shock and didn't know how to handle it. What was that???? Like I said she has NEVER EVER been aggressive with us, or actually anyone. I know it was her food and she was probably claiming it, but it was just so unlike her. Any thoughts (besides us being stupid?).

Thank You.
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Your husband needs to stop 'playing' with your dog like this. Your dog has probably tolerated this up to now because she is young and an overall good, patient, dog, but a bite in this situation would be 100% handler error. I'd be sure you can take food away if necessary (in case she picks up something she shouldn't have), but stop your husband from his silly games immediately. These games are souring their relationship, and could create food guarding where there was none.

"Any thoughts (besides us being stupid?)."

Nope. Well, you could add "mean" to "stupid."

This would be the exact opposite of what the pack leader does, IMO. The pack leader gives the food or chewy or treat, and then the pack leader ensures that the dog is not threatened and bothered and teased and made anxious when she tries to eat what you gave her.


I would start from Square One with rebuilding this dog's confidence that what you give her is hers. I'd give it and then leave her alone.

That wasn't funny or playful or anything like that to a dog. It was confusing, frightening, and bond-wrecking to have her pack leader do this to her.


For needing to take something away, teach drop it or leave it. But I would not even start that right now. And I would do it with a trade-up protocol to start.

 Quote: Kiersten Lippman

These games are souring their relationship, and could create food guarding where there was none.

Couldn't be said better.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the feedback and understand. I will also train my husband to giveth and not taketh away.....

thanks again