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Dog: 2.5 year old rescue rottie. We've had him for 1.5 years. Male, neutered, been through 2 obedience courses, agility and he herds. Well socialized. Good temperment, gentle with the children, soft on the stock, very responsive to voice command. Before this weekend, he has never shown any "aggression."

Situation: My wife had pulled up in her truck with kids, dog and groceries. Kids had taken their share of the bags in the house. All kids were in the house at this time. Dog had unloaded out of the truck and was waiting to go in with the wife. I was back behind the house replacing a window. New neighbors came over to introduce themselves. The wife had a box of heavier groceries, and the male half of new neighbors ran over to grab the box before it fell. Apparently, the dog interpreted him running at the wife as a threat because he went for the neighbor. He had him by the lower pants leg and was dragging him backwards and shaking his head.

The wife's "that'll do" got him to release and return to her side, but he continued to hackle and growl. I had heard the noise by this point and recalled the dog to me and into the house.

The dog never laid tooth to skin- he only had him by the pants leg. After everyone calmed down I gave the neighbor a handful of jerky and cheese and he made friends with the dog.

Question: I'm really of two minds about this situation. On the one hand I'm glad he acted to protect my wife. On the other hand, it's not his place to make that decision. What do you all think about the incident?