i couldnt say its such a bad thing him looking around it shows u have an alert dog maybe concentrate on stoping him trying to climb by showing him something more intresting at times when he does go for it, he will soon give up when he knows he hasnt got a chance
totally agree, your the boss, i have 2 bitches and trouble has only ever started at food time but they soon got the grasp they fight they go hungry for a little longer. scruffing i find quite effective aswell as that is what a dominant dog would do