I recently acquired a 2yo gsp from a friend of mine. He had to move and couldn't take the dog with him. My problem is he is pretty bad when it comes to table surfing and getting into trash and stuff. He was mainly an outdoor dog before we got him and now is indoors more than out. He has acclimated quite well except for the above mentioned behavior.  My main concern is when he is scolded for getting into trash, on the table etc. he often runs away growling and has attempted to bite on a few occasions. I was wondering what would be the best way to curb this behavior? Could it be out of fear of being disciplined? I do not have a heavy hand when it comes to my dogs and so I don't know why this behavior would come about like it does. He has also shown this aggression when being scolded for other things but mainly just when it comes to food. ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Scott

My thoughts are he definately has had some bad experiences when it comes to HIS food.  He is claiming all as his own, and defending it with his body language.  How long have you had him?  Give it some time, and never get out the heavy hand he's most likely used to.  Watch his eyes carefully, if it's over food.  Can you see the whites around his eyes?  They call that Whale eye; is he fixated on the food item you've asked him to pass over?  If yes, then you are probably getting the whale eye too.  First, I would cut this kid some slack.  Get the garbage up, so there is no conflict.  Push things to back of the counters, or remove all items off the counter....remove the trigger.  Keep it that way for a few weeks, or longer, then set him up.  Leave something purposely out.  Bust him for getting it, are you getting same reaction?  If so back up the truck, he needs to learn that he won't "get it" when he gets into things.  That aggressive food behavior should subside with trust and bonding.  OR, you will have to get a signal down, for "I'm taking this away from you now".  If he can't play nice, you may have to live your life on constant watch with food items.  My bet is with time and bonding and no punishment for these things, he will recover from his former corrections.    The other trick you can play on him is get him to COME TO YOU if he wants something.  Do not feed him for a day or so.  Let him look for you for his food source.  Carry kibbles in your pocket, hand feed him.  Get him to trust your hand.  You could go on doing this for a week or more, then get him back to a food bowl.  Then try taking the food bowl away.  But always watch his eyes, if you see him fixate, and the whites, get outta the way, cuz that body language tells me something is gonna happen, and food is the trigger.  If you can't crack him, then you live a life of nothing on counters, no garbage left for him to get into period.  My GSP was like this.  I eventually cut her a deal.  I gave her fair warning, "I'm coming in  now, taking that food bowl, you are ALL DONE NOW", and if she fixated, I put my body between her and the item, and backed her off using my body, till I could get the item away from her.  End of story.  That is pretty much how we operated over very desirable items till the day she died.  Outsmarting the shorthair is the name of your game now.  Hopefully he can shake off the old defensive behavior and learn trust. 

Thank you so very very much. That is him to a T. I'll try some of the things you mentioned. Thanks again!

Scott

Aggression is a touchy subject and one best not diagnosed and/or troubleshot on the net without having seen a dog and developing an understanding of your level of training skills to deal with it. I could easily suggest an Alpha roll, when that could be the worst possible advice I could give you if your not skilled to do it, or prepared to deal with your dogs reaction to being rolled.

That said, you might check out this site:

dogobedienceadvice.com/dog_aggression/

Table surfing? I got one cure, mouse traps, if they dont do it use a rat trap. 

Dog growls at me for correcting him gets tossed on his back and I hold my head over him and growl right back at him, hold him down and tell him in a soft voice I am your boss, do as I say or pay the price. Sometimes need to do it twice. Course I am over 6 ft and about 300 lbs solid    just hand split a truck load of wood too. Keeps ya in shape at my old age  my dogs obey and understand that to do otherwise makes life unhappy for them.  Dont beat a dog tho, never hard hand a dog.  I grab his legs and sweep em then he is on his side/back with me on top.

I always give em lots of love after they come back to me, works well for me.

"I still won't advise that to someone who may end up getting themselves bitten."

You may be right there, not everyone grew up wresteling and boxing as I did 

Go wit hthe mouse traps on the counter, if this does it no need for further correction    outsmart that dog and show him who the boss really is.