You should be in control of your dog and have a trust and respect based relationship whereby your dog will allow you to take food from it as it accepts your position and also that whatever you do is for the good of the dog. Something the pack leaders do and the followers accept gratefully. After Hurricane Katrina struck in New Orleans, packs of dogs formed and one was led by a small dog the breed I'm unsure of but it led the German Shepherds and other large dogs as its leadership and energy were not questioned by the pack regardless of size!
So step up to the plate and do the right thing for your dog! They'll thank you for it!
Cheers Steve