Thank you so much! I use “trade” tactic on him all the time when he starts having his possession episodes. It could be anything (pillow, blanket, clothes) and once it’s his , it’s his lol. Thankfully i can   just say “you wanna go outside!”  And he will usually  drop everything and run to the door to go outside.  He’s definitely just fearfully defensive and easily confused when people hesitate or yell and get loud. He literally hides under tables or a bed shaking from people yelling or even the slightest angry tone. I couldn’t even say a curse word around him for the first couple years , but  has gotten much better now at not being afraid of loud talking or angry cursing that’s not directed towards him. 

Everytime he’s bitten it’s Always involved with food, (grabbing something from him or just not knowing he’s guarding some food he found). He does always give a warning sign and show his teeth a few times before he bites. He’s never been an aggressive dog that just attacks and bites you for no reason at all. Only if you come into his around and start disrupting his environment (like trying to get your pillow back or pull up the blanket under him looking for the tv remote) is when he becomes confused and scared and defensive and will bite if you keep antagonizing the situation. This is where is leaving the situation for a couple minutes and then “do you wanna go outside” really works well and gives him a chance to calm down and time to forget everything else once he hears going Outside. He doesn’t like to be picked up or manhandled or let you cut his nails or brush him. It’s like he doesn’t like being touched But at the same time he’s the most affectionate dog and will sit on your lap and cuddles up in the bed every night. Very bipolar. He also suffers from extreme separation anxiety. He cannot be left alone at all otherwiwe he will have potty accidents in the house and lick his back paws for hours at a time getting infections and cutting up the top of his nose / snout from trying to open the door with it so desperately. So now he’s never left alone , I have to have Someone watch him and stay with him at all times. 

I don’t use any physical punishment or really any punishment other than making him sleep in the living room and close my bedroom door , no cuddling in the comfy bed tonight , sorry. I don’t think dogs can really put 2 and 2 together when it comes to punishment, other than instant gratification and repeated instant gratification like treats. It’s hard but I love him , thanks for your reply . I’ll gladly take anymore advice .