pit/lab mix jumping!

Question
Ok I actually have a few questions about my pit/lab mix. She is about 1 1/2 yrs and is spayed. I adopted her about 8 months ago. She has improved lots since I got her, there are just a few things I need help with. Let me just mention that I have been working with her but im seeing little to no progress and Im pregnant so there has been a little urgency to get her behaviors corrected before I get bigger and the baby comes!

1) She practically tackles me when I get home! Someone is usually home all the time, but in the event that we are not, we cage her. Its usually for a max of a couple of hours, but we want to avoid accidents and her chewing up important things. Anyway, she jumps on everyone, even children. Ive tried to walk away and ignore her until she calms down (which she really never does, she is FULL of energy)and Ive read that if you lean towards her, not allowing you to dominate, she should stop, but doesnt. Its really getting to be a problem with my bump getting bigger and she'll jump right on my stomach.

2) Chewing! She chews on soooo much stuff, she has gotten better, but its still a problem. she'll chew on any random thing on the floor, and even my pillows! She loves bones, so we got her a duralast bones that lasts her about a month, but she still chews on other stuff. I really want to leave her out of her cage but its too risky now!

3) Leash pulling! she pulls on the leash so hard, she has knocked me on my bottom! I bought a pincher collar, but I felt really bad so I got her a harness instead. It makes her manageable most of the time but she is really strong! I cant imagine walking her 8 or 9 months pregnant or with a stroller though! Please help!

4) Last but not least, she does this weird dominance thing that we call "crotching" we have another dog ( male boxer/pit 4yrs old)that she does it to all the time! She stands over him with her crotch in his face most of the time but it just has to be over him, she does it with my boyfriend and I as well.Its really gross but I dont want her to think she is dominating any of us!

Please help us! Thank you!

Answer
The posture you describe as 'crotching' may be a sign of anxiety, NOT dominance, especially since the dog displays it toward the adult male human in the household.  Presenting in this manner suggests the dog is soliciting or attempting to obtain allegiance: a sense of "belonging".  Your husband shouldn't be on the floor with the dog for any reason and I can't imagine how else she manages this if he isn't at eye level with her but she needs far more emotional security and far more positive reinforcement training.  Once she has obtained one or two simple behaviors on cue (command), each time she attempts to present to him in this manner he will give her the cue (for "sit") and then reward with praise and a scratch on the chest.  This gives her a way to please him AND it confirms her "place".  As for the other dog, if he's tolerating this behavior he's doing it for his own reasons: he may very well be giving her signals that you're missing so I suggest you go to Turid Rugaas' site (and possibly buy her book, "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals"):
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php

Dogs communicate with each other, and with us (although most of us don't "talk dog") all the time, using body language.  Some of this body language is subtle and some is confused with motivations the dog doesn't have (such as dominance or aggression).  Study the site and then apply what you learn to your dogs: observe them together and how they "talk" to you, as well, for cues as to what's going on.

This is a very strong breed and this is a very young dog: she needs EXERCISE, and I don't mean a casual walk around the block.   If your husband is into jogging, the dog can be taught to run alongside him and this will keep her energy level a great deal more under control.  Buying one nylabone (which I don't like: this stuff is going into the dog's body) is insufficient.  Rawhide should be avoided (as it can be ingested in too large pieces and lodge in the intestines) but there are many chewable toys, AND toys that dispense a portion of the dog's daily diet (like the Buster Cube) that make the dog THINK while it's interacting with the toy.  Dogs chew for many reasons and a dog this age that's demonstrating this behavior is most likely doing it out of BOREDOM, or ANXIETY, and it may be partially "trained" because it gets her attention.

The pinch collar is a despicable device and I'm glad you got rid of it.  I assume you're using a no-pull harness, perhaps a Gentle Leader Easy Walk?  Remember that Pit Bulls can be TRAINED to pull weight, this is a natural tendency of the breed; also, when the dog PULLS he feels you at the end of the leash, a function of pack behavior is to know where everyone is.  Some no-pull harnesses cause problems (raw patches) and none that I've ever heard of actually TEACHES THE DOG not to pull.  That's what you have to do.

Jumping up is "boisterous greeting behavior", the dog is attempting to make eye contact and greet you in the manner s/he would another dog (face to face).  Two methods to prevent this behavior (one a quick fix): turn your back on the dog EVERY TIME she jumps up at you and instruct all others to do the same.  Turn back to her and cue her to "sit", then give her attention.  EVERY TIME she jumps up, she must be greeted with a strong non-reward (turning your back to her is NOT what she has in mind) followed by the opportunity to do something you can reward with attention.  

Your dog needs training and she needs it fast.  If you're unable to do the homework necessary to teach her yourself, find a positive reinforcement trainer (BE CAREFUL, NO choker collars, NO coercion, NO punishment, stay away from neanderthals who are "expert" in Pit Bull types) but of course that will cost a few hundred dollars.  You may also find a positive reinforcement training venue with group classes, this is most likely a good place for you to start as you proceed on your own to teach the dog a few behaviors she can offer you on cue, for reward, praise and attention.  To learn about dog training, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOW0IKO_zfM&NR=1

This is a video by Dr. Ian Dunbar who explains the mechanism behind positive reinforcement.  There are many videos and articles on his site (DogStarDaily.com) that will instruct you on how to TEACH your dog what you want from her.  I prefer to incorporate a clicker into training: this is a tool (that makes a click sound) that tells a dog :THAT'S RIGHT! You're getting a reward now for THAT behavior".  To learn about the clicker, how to condition the dog to it and how to use it for teaching purposes, go to Karen Pryor's site: ClickerTraining.com.  When you introduce the clicker, put it in your pocket to avoid a startle response from the dog and as soon as she understands what it means, you can then use it normally.  The clicker can quickly signal to your dog that walking NEAR you WITHOUT pulling will be rewarded.  Try both sites and start working with the dog immediately.  ALSO it's extremely IMPORTANT you begin to condition BOTH YOUR DOGS to the presence of a newborn baby RIGHT NOW.  There is absolutely no way, without intense work on your behalf and (optimally) professional help, this young Pit mix won't be barreling into your toddler a year from now unless you TEACH her beginning as soon as possible.  Buy a lifelike doll and download sounds of a newborn from the internet.  If you have friends who have infants, borrow an unwashed blanket and a soiled nappy or two (ick) to put on your doll.  Carry the doll around once in a while and click/treat EVERY CALM BEHAVIOR your dogs offer.  If either of them becomes agitated, cue a "sit" and reward it.  Play the sounds of the newborn baby in various rooms (you can burn a CD on the computer and pop it into a portable player) and allow the dogs to investigate, then reward ALL CALM BEHAVIOR they offer when the sounds are playing.  Borrow a stroller and get the dogs accustomed to its presence.  Once your Pit mix is walking well at your side outdoors, take the stroller out there (a beat up old one is fine, don't worry about neighbors lol) with her and click/treat her calm walking and no pulling.  Get busy! Tempus fugit, baby will be here soon!