Alfred does know the command off. In fact it's one of his party tricks. And one time I told him off his own food bowl because he was coming in to grab it before I had it on the ground and it annoyed me. But then I forgot to release him and the poor baby just sat there staring at his food with drool running down his face until I noticed.

However, he often will find something on the ground and will sit down before I realize so off becomes a useless command. I wish I had thought to teach him not to eat anything except from my hand or his bowl or with my permission. I recall taking a previous dog into a chronic care hospital as a visiting friendly face but folks would give him treats and he began to view the visits as an opportunity to snack. He'd walk into the room and be scanning it for food opportunities and I worried that he'd grab a pill or something off the floor. Eventually I stopped doing that volunteer work and part of it was the anxiety of him picking up a pill or something else that might injure him. So it is something I will keep in mind for whichever dog comes next. Although I imagine I will get a senior rescue who may come with his or her own set of food rules already in place.