Obsessed with Food and constant barking!

Question
Hi
I have a 10 1/2 yr old cocker spayed boy. He is a very loving 'old' boy and superb company. Over the last 6 months he seems to be completely obsessed by OUR food. He has taken to whining at the table when we eat - constantly. If we have a take away he runs around in a frenzy almost screaming and will not leave us alone whilst we eat. We have tried to close off the dining room to him whilst we eat but he scratches like mad at the door. He is ok with his own food and isn't possessive over it.
The second problem is barking, again over the last few months everytime somebody comes round he barks and 'screams' like mad, not in an aggressive way but an almost over excited to see them way, but it takes at least 5 mins for him to calm down once they have arrived. It is the same if someone knocks on the door, he is not angry just way too excited to see them so barks. It is getting quite a problem when I go to the shops for 5 mins and come back - he is running around barking because I have come back in the house!!!!
The final problem we seem to have is that he used to be very friendly and sociable with ALL other dogs. Now when we go for walks, although he will go and say hello to the other dogs, after a few seconds he will then growl at them, he doesn't snap or bite(he has never bitten anyone or anything) he just seems to be a intolerant of other dogs (he loves cats and is fine with them just not dogs)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, we started to put these problems down to 'old age' but don't want this to get worse, he's a fantastic dog apart from these few problems which just seem to have occurred over the last few months.
Thank you
Jane

Answer
Anytime an adult dog suddenly has behavioral changes, it's time for a complete Wellness exam.
Always rule out any physical cause first.

Now..the food issue.  Get an empty pop/beer can - put 12-15 pennies in it - duct tape the top shut.  Have it on your dining table.  When he starts whining, stand up - raise the can high in the air and bring it down hard ONCE and say NO in a calm, firm voice.  Sit back down and ignore him.
No chat - no scolding - just one NO and a thundering crash.  The lesson is simple and direct-you do THAT and THIS happens!

The over-excitement with "arrivals" - I'd first try putting him on leash when the bell rings.
Take him with you - command SIT - and ask guests to totally ignore him and not even make eye contact.  Carry on, still with him on leash, and he doesn't get to greet until given permission.

When you come home - walk right by him and don't even look at him.  Just carry on and don't acknowledge him until he calms down.  When he does - pets and a treat.

The intolerance for other dogs may well just be age and a "can't be bothered" attitude.
If he does give a little growl then immediately say "let's go" and move on.

Let me know how the dinner table correction goes and what he does when on leash and ignored by guests.  Often, without realizing it, we're encouraging the behavior by giving it attention.
Anticipating a behavior and stopping it is far more effective than trying to control it when the dog is "in full flight" so to speak.
Delores