Toy possessiveness- she gets downright bitchy!

[Scooter]

Zoe, is normally the sweetest, lickyest, submissive dog, but when she's playing with other dogs and a toy is involved-watch out. She will actually get really aggressive, with her hair rising on her back like a mohawk and snarling at any other dog who gets near "her" toy. It's ugly and scary. The way I've dealt with it is just to take the toy away and/ or move her away from the other dogs for a while. Does anyone else have a dog with this nasty personality trait?

[Maxy24]

I think it's fairly common. Nobody, dog or person, likes when their favorite things get stolen from them. I personally would put away toys when there are other dogs around...you only have one dog right?

NEVER take the toy away unless it's an emergency situation. You risk the dog learning she needs to guard from you too. You can remove her AND the toy but taking the toy away will only make her want to guard more and possibly from people.
You could also set up a space that is all hers where she can take her toys and be away from the other dogs. Crates can be good for this. It's up to you to make sure other dogs don't go there though.

If she's only vocalizing and using body language she might not be a danger to the other dogs. I don't see the behavior so I don't know the severity, she might just be saying "could you get away from my toy" or it could be a more serious "get away now or I'll make you and you'll never make that mistake again". So it could be a simple harmless communication that can be allowed or a bigger threat that needs to be dealt with before someone gets hurt.

[Scooter]

Thanks, Maxy, that helps. It usually takes place in a field near our house where lots of people let their dogs play. The toy is never hers- I don't bring them on walks. It's normally a ball or frisbee one of the other dog owners bring. They throw it, Zoe runs and gets it, then it's "hers". I take it away and give it back to the owner then we move on, or we continue to play without the toy. She hasn't hurt any dog, but she just looks pretty vicious- shows her teeth and snaps at them. I know she's a dog and all, but I don't like it. And yes, she's our only dog.