My dog did it again. -_-

Sometimes when I'm reading all these posts of what our dogs did, I think to myself, gee we expect too much of our dogs, after all they are dogs.[]

What if a small child is around who hasn't been taught not to touch a dog while it's eating?  What if the dog is one of those who will guard his empty bowl?  What if the dog decides on a walk to eat something he really shouldn't, like someone elses poop or the contents of a KFC bag?
 
My dogs accept handling when they are eating....a stroke or a pat without missing a beat.  I guess I think it's important to be ABLE to do so, in case I NEED to do so, and also for the safety of others.  Again, my dogs pretty much eat in their crates to keep things sane around here at mealtime, but, I can do whatever I want with them while they are eating and I don't have to worry about a guest being bitten because they got too close to a food bowl....empty or otherwise

I agree with Glenda....Izzy is known to pick things up outside that she is not suppossed to.  Even though she does try to run from us when she has a really good find, we can stick our hand in her mouth to get it out without ever worrying that she will bite.  That is, if she doesn't swallow if whole first!
 
The point about other people's kids is a good one too!

He grabbed the bread from the table, no one was paying attention and when I caught him, he ran behind the couch to continue eating. I was grabbed his colar to hold him as I took the bread away, he growled again, but I grabbed the bread, let him go, threw it away came back and took him outside which is his punishment. He stays indoors and though he likes to play out there, he doesn't like being out for too long.

 
First, why on earth is there bread sitting out when no one is paying attention? 99% of producing a dog with wonderful manners is managing the environment so the dog has no choice but to behave well until it becomes a habit. This incident was entirely your fault. Do not blame the dog.
Second, dogs like to be chased. Chasing a dog for any reason is a reward.
Third, physically separating a dog from food is a really good way to create a dangerous food-guarder. Try reading Mine! by Jean Donaldson.
Fourth, the so-called punishment was delayed too long. Consequences of behavior have to occur within a few seconds for the dog to learn anything. He truly had no idea why he was being stuck outside.
 
We actually go through a pro-active NO FOOD STEALING program in my house. Put some low-value food out, say some lettuce. Reward and treat dog for not taking it. Gradually move up to high value foods, say roast beef. Then increase the time the food can be left out. A well-trained dog will sit there quietly in front of plate of roast beef while you leave the room, because the dog has been taught that he who doesn't steal food gets even better stuff than he who steals food.

I don't believe you have gotten this advice yet, and people may not agree, but I am giving it anyway. For right now, if your dog steals something, and it is not vitally important or dangerous for him to have, let him have it. By chasing him and trying to grab it from him, you are creating a dog who will guard his resources, because he knows you might come grab it from him. In the meantime, you should teach him drop it. After you have taught him a reliable drop it, then you can get things from him after he steals them. Until you have taught him to drop, you should try your best to keep the environment free of things for him to steal, and if he does steal something, slap yourself in the head for leaving it where he can get it, and if it's not dangerous or extremely important, you'll just have to sit there and watch him eat it.
I'm not sure who posted it, but a while ago when Max was guarding, and it was precisely for the same reason that your dog is doing it (people were grabbing from him when he stole stuff) someone posted a resource guarding protocol. I seem to remember throwing him treats from a distance where he was comfortable while he was eating something , and moving closer, until I could touch the item and give him treats, and I think taking it and giving it back to him, or trading him for something better. I wish I could remember it exactly, or maybe whoever posted it can post it for you, because it worked very well.

These posts about dogs stealing food make me chuckle.  Our old dog was a real food thief, but my younger DS had a way of just looking at that dog that made him fall into line.  He could leave a ham sandwich on the coffee table, just look at Bud and say *leave it alone*.  Then he could get up and go into another room and Bud would just sit there staring at the sandwich, but he wouldn't make a move toward it.  If any of the rest of us did that, the sandwich would be history in 2 seconds. Our DGS, when he was little, used to say that "Liam has special dog powers." []

Joyce & Max

I totally agree with mudpuppy and griffin above. Your dog steals food and then guards it because he's afraid you're going to take it away from him... and he's right! Better to keep food away from him and better supervise in the first place. But nobody's perfect, so if he does nab something but it isn't bad for him or that big a deal, just forget about it. I hope this isn't too anthropomorphic an idea, but I think dogs can tell when humans are grasping at power plays all the time as opposed to only putting their foot (feet) down when it really matters. This is the same basic training concept as not overusing "no" or scolding words that your dog will learn to tune out.

It's good to learn that a 9month old dog is not the same as a 9week old puppy.  He's in the prime of adolescense.  Think "teenager" - he's no longer a baby, but not yet an adult.  You have to guide him to do what you want, but expect lots of challenges and "questioning" along the way.
 
I think mudpuppy was right - "Consequences of behavior have to occur within a few seconds for the dog to learn anything. He truly had no idea why he was being stuck outside."  Your timeout thing meant nothing to him.  Teach him what you want first, before punishing him for not knowing he should leave the bread/food unattended while you're in the other room.  And don't think "he knows better", because he evidently doesn't.  Teach him.

On top of learning the "drop it" command, the "leave it" command will also be helpful.  We taught this to Izzy and she knows what it means.  In fact, when we are doing it on her, it is usually b/c Harley is still eating and she is trying to eat his.  When I say "leave it" Harley will often stop eating b/c he knows what it means too.  I am still working on this one with my dogs and not confusing them, but when I say "leave it" my dogs know not to eat it.....this was one of the commands we learned in basic obedience.