I am so glad I stumbled upon this site and wish I had weeks ago. I have so many questions that I think best to separate them. My husband and I are first time GSP owners and while any dog advice is helpful. Having some from those with the breed mean so much more!

Bella Mae is a little over 16 weeks now. She has always eaten her food SO fast, but never threw it up or seemed to have tummy issues. Just hiccups after (her breeder says the father was the same way, but eventually slowed with age). We were very fearful of food aggression so we always made her "down" and "wait" until we were done putting in bowl and placed on floor (near her kennel, but not in). She waits great. But once she gets to her food her tail is tucked and she GOES TO TOWN. She is done eating 2 cups within less than five minutes.

We also many times would put our hands near or even in her bowl briefly while she ate hoping she would realzie we did not intend to take it, and this was fine.

However, about a week ago she sprang from her "down/wait" before I gave the command so I gently took her by the collar (taking her away from the food and put her back in the spot to wait). Once she was free to go, she seemed more frantic than usual so i took it upon myself to go be by her to try and show things were fine (my mistake). I put my hand near her bowl as I have many times before...she snarled and snapped in the direction (easily could ahve made contact but did not). I removed the food. Made her wait, left for a few minutes. Returned and let her finish her meal. After she was very submissive to me for the rest of the morning.

Since the incident, at times we hand feed some of her meal, sometimes she is left to eat free, sometimes we sit near but do not interfere. Am I doing right, or am I encouraging her to be frantic when she eats. Should we feed her in her kennel with door closed so she feels more at ease that her food is hers.

Also, to slow her down a bit, I put a big teething toy in her boy that she has to work around. This has seemed to work a little. I hear more crunching of the food happening.

Any feeding advice to help soothe her at meal times (she is very happy before and after, but seems frantic during) would be so appreciated.

I should mention she has not been aggressive since, just frantic (how I describe her body language and pace at which she eats).

Also, that she eats 2x per day 2cups each of Four Health. A little more than the bag recommendation for her weight, but it is very cold her right now and I feel she needs the extra nutrients to help keep her warm.

I would get into a routine for feeding.  Make it the same procedure every day. I suspect mixing it up is making her nervous and unsure, so she gulps down her food and acts frantic.  Also, feeding in the crate may help.  I always make mine sit and wait to be released to eat.  You might also want to look into a bowl that slows her down or just take a big chain and put it in her bowl.  The other option would be to get a food puzzle toy and feed her with that. Here is a bowl:

www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm

Or the food dispensing ball:

www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm

And another food dispensing toy:

www.petco.com/product/112212/KONG-Wobbler-Food-Dispensing-Dog-Toy.aspx

As for taking the food away. I usually work with a toy and have them release it to me. You can do the same thing with a treat or bone.  This works well for teaching the drop.  I rarely take their dinner away from them, but once they allow you to take a toy or treat, removing the dinner is not usually an issue.

My dogs eat 2 cups in less than 2 minutes.
Maybe she is hungry? I know mine are aaaalways hungry.
Maybe split the meals into 4 times a day - 1 cup every 2-3 hours.
Some dogs eat with a lot of gusto - I wouldn't worry about it.
As I read your post the very first thing that struck me was your concern over food aggression - then I read that she snapped at you. A bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Having her wait to eat is a smart traning tool - keep it for the rest of her life.
This tactic - waiting- teaches the dog control, which hopfully will transfer to house manners and future training.
She is a pretty girl with a beautiful name.
 

 Thank you for the feedback. She is a very good girl. I am so wanting to do right by her. Perhaps dinner time can be more typical so she doesn't wonder what is coming (will this lady sit by me. Will she feed me by hand. Will she leave me alone?)

She has no toy or treat possession, and gives them readily (we do try to practice a "trade up" method when possible. The aggression was that one day and not since...I suspect we got off to the wrong foot with her jumping gun and getting a little food before I removed her to reinforce the wait.

I do plan to get a bowl to slow her down a bit, the teething toy in the bowl in the meantime helps a bit.

Thanks again!