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Now, when he growls, we're far more cautious, and we react (by backing away from whatever we're doing.)

This is hard to really give advice on. Not having a real full history or seeing the dog myself I almost hesitate to really give advice other than to seek out a trainer/behaviorist experienced with aggression and dominance issues. I will say that keeping a leash/drag line on him while in the house is an excellent idea and I would get a DD collar for him. I would not advise using a prong as they make aggression issues worse no matter that type of aggression (fear or dominance or territory etc etc) but read up on the proper use and make sure before you use it that you can follow through. Many lack the gumption and the physical strength it takes to hold a thrashing snapping jumping jiving pawing clawing dog up in on its hind legs without getting bit. Some dogs, the action of the DD collar as it initiates is enough to give pause to the behavior and then the handler can regroup but immediately following an aggressive outburst, even if the dog now appears calm, do not let down your guard. Take advantage of that down time and put the dog in the crate or other area where it can be alone and confined (not a back yard and not in an area where the dog can do damage to home or property)

Regarding feeding. I agree that the dog should be left alone and should do a command before being allowed to eat. But I don't think you should give the food to the dog. As in don't hold the bowl and then put it down in front of him. For pack structure reasons I suggest having the food in his crate, with the crate door open in a room separate from the family. Bring him into the room, have him focus on you about 5 feet or so away from the crate, sit or down etc, then release the dog to go to the food bowl and leave him alone until he is done. This way you are not relinquishing a food item to the dog by directly and obviously giving it to him, you are allowing him to eat an existing food source.

I do agree that you should get help. Regarding the above quote I have mixed advice. If you are afraid of him and do not feel you have what it takes to deal with the behavior I would not take action because you are likely to get bit and lose the fight. But I also do not recommend backing away. You are being very submissive by doing this and not helping your situation any. Because you are probably (and don't be ashamed) afraid of this dog and don't have the experience to deal with the aggression 100% effectively I don't know that I really recommend you to correct him but when he becomes aggressive, just stand still. Don't stare at him, don't lean over him, just stand your ground quietly and calmly until he stops growling and then try again. If he growls or becomes aggressive again go passive but don't give ground, become relaxed while not taking your attention off of him If he becomes more aggressive and you feel you cannot control or take control of the situation then I do suggest you back away to prevent injury to anyone.

This is a tricky situation, but I do recommend a check up to see if some of this aggression is pain related(vet appt) and get help from a trainer/behaviorist that has experience with dominance and/or aggression problems to evaluate the dog and help you out in your home.

 Quote: stephanie biros

I have a 2 year old German Shepherd who underwent elbow dysplasia surgery at age 6mo.

But his behavior lately is not acceptable.

These comments stand out at me....I am reading that behavior is getting increasingly worse?

Although it may be a dominance and spoiled reaction and behavior, it sounds like a pain response to me.

At Wal-Mart or PetSmart/PetCo, they have giant wire crates. I use one in the house for my hound. He can stand up, plenty of room to turn and also to stretch out as well. I would get one and get some thick foam padding (if the dog won't chew it up, and see if that helps.
I would also find a vet that specializes in bone/joint degeneration and arthritis, have a full work up done including bloodwork, no more vaccinations and see where that leads you......

Also, is the dog on any pain management, as I see you mentioned that his joints are becoming more arthritic?

When in pain, I have seen the "nicest dogs in the world" become monsters and after a health check with a really good vet, proper pain management (NOT Rimadyl, but rather Duramax (sp) or Metcam) and even some good holistic management these dogs pretty much got back to normal.

I do believe you need to continue with the pack leadership training and keep the dog on a tether and in control when there are others around as well.

I feel for you, but without seeing this dog or behavior it is, as Jennifer says, hard to give advice.

The most recent posts point out a glaring omission in mine: The dog should be on a leash/line at all times.

As Mike said, tell people not to pet the dog, and mean it. All people.

And hearing that you have backed away and shown the dog that he is indeed in charge is a very possible explanation for the escalation. I'd get that vet eval and make sure.

I understand that you have tried and done all that you knew to do, but that just means that you need to know some more, and you are in the process of getting the info. Not his fault, not your fault.

Stephanie, check your pm's!

I will add he is on Metacam, but given sporadically, more we he actually appears to be limping. Maybe not enough though? I am worried about feeding him in his crate, as we're concerned it'll go from food guarding to food AND crate guarding. Otherwise, these sound like great nuggets of advice. The lead is on him now, and he slept overnight in his crate in the basement, after Metacam.

To those who suggested no one should pet him, is this forever? Is it just for their safety until we're able to get through this, or is it some kind of training? We don't want him to become fearful of people. We now live in a very populated area, and with the nice weather there's all kinds of people around.

 Quote: stephanie biros

I will add he is on Metacam, but given sporadically, more we he actually appears to be limping. Maybe not enough though? I am worried about feeding him in his crate, as we're concerned it'll go from food guarding to food AND crate guarding. Otherwise, these sound like great nuggets of advice. The lead is on him now, and he slept overnight in his crate in the basement, after Metacam.

To those who suggested no one should pet him, is this forever? Is it just for their safety until we're able to get through this, or is it some kind of training? We don't want him to become fearful of people. We now live in a very populated area, and with the nice weather there's all kinds of people around.

I do not require that my dog who does not like to be petted be petted. He is not fearful or aggressive, but he is uncomfortable with being petted, and that's OK with me. (Then I also have a petting-slut who will flip onto his back in front of anyone hoping for a belly rub.)

I would not even worry about that issue yet. You don't know whether he is in pain and afraid to be touched because of it, and you have aggression issues to deal with.

I personally do not let strangers pet my dogs, but again, atht's for down the road. If it turns out that he doesn't care for petting but isn't too strongly opposed, and you really want him to accept it, then there are plenty of ways to desensitize him to it and even come to welcome it. But not now.

As far as leaving him alone to eat -- that's forever, IMHO. With any dog. JMO. I give the food and I do not mess with it after I give it. Neither do I mess with the dog.

What is the Metacam RX and how long has he been on it? How is he before and after (meaning, how effective is it for him)?

I understand the concern over him guarding the crate and food, but can you understand how if there is NO one around he will have NO one to guard the food/crate FROM?
Remove yourself from the picture entirely while he is eating so he can learn he doesn't have to be on guard.
If you continue to be around him while he is eating you will only continue to prove to him that he is not safe to eat in peace.

My most recent adoptee started out with uneasiness around food, aimed at both me and the other dogs.

He had come at a time when my crates had been retired (all mature dogs in the house), or I would've crate-fed him, no question.

As it was, I simply became the food cop. I handed out the dishes and then made sure that not only did this dog have no interference (and I too did not hover or even stand near him), but no other dog was even allowed to stand near him and hope for him to leave something in the dish.

The result after several weeks (and through to the present, a couple of years later) was that he is totally secure with his food dish, that I can step over and around him with no problem, and the added bonus: the other dogs, who eat much faster, know that they have to stand several feet away until they get a signal from me.