Hi all!
In the last week Khanu (11mth GSD) has twice snapped at a dog that has come up to me for fussing. It has not turned into a fight, but I want to nip it in the bud now before it gets worse. How should I tackle this? We have had issues before - pigs trotters and food, although not bones/toys/other chews. We've worked on this and I can now ask him to leave and pick up what he's eating (giving it back obviously with something extra). I'm just at a loss as to how to deal with this, any ideas gratefully received.

You need to desensitise and counter condition your dog to the approach of other dogs in other words make the dog associate the presence of the other dogs with good things like attention, games and food, although food can be contentious with other dogs in the equation.

Start off where the dog is comfortable eg does not react to other dogs and gradually build up over a period of time to closer encounters, strictly controlled.  You will needs lots of dogs and lots of time and lots of locations in order that the dog generalises well.

You may also need to reserve a toy/food for this occasion and this occasion only so that it becomes an extremely coveted item contingent on the dog's lack of inappropriate behaviour.

At about the same age my GSD pup did the same thing to other dogs (strange dogs) a couple of times. It was something I didn't want to get out of hand, so when another dog was 'around' me I asked her to sit and receive a treat and wait whilst I said hello to the other dog. She wasn't happy about it : D, but it worked. I also let her know by the tone of my voice that I was not happy with her reaction when it did happen the first couple of times. She doesn't bother about it now, so I don't know if my approach worked or if she just grew out of it!

Kat

Thanks for the advice.
He has only done it when I am actually stroking the other dog. I think I will ask for a sit as the other dog approaches and praise/reward the correct behaviour when I say hello to the other dog. Have to say we met loads of dogs over the weekend and he never batted an eyelid, so maybe he was having a strange week :)