needy, clingy dog

Question
Hi,and thank you for your time. My 4 yr. old spayed mostly husky mix has always been super affectionate and social, but as expected, since our baby arrived 10 months ago, she has become SUPER clingy/needy. [we adopted her from a rescue 3yrs. ago] The biggest problem is that she doesn't respond to our instructions to sit or lay down, and is always "in our face." I adore her and am very patient with her but I feel like I don't know the most productive way to get her to respect our space(esp. around baby), and my husband is loosing patience. She is EXCELLENT with the baby-no issues there. She just wants as much attention as baby (understandable). Her companion dog (13 yr old border terrier) passed away in the spring. She did not seem to react drastically, I think, because the terrier did not really play much. I know she'd benefit from a companion to play with but it just can't happen for a few years. Any tips? Her exercise at this point consists of a few walks around the 2 acre yard each day, on a flexi lead or off. I am hoping to jog a bit eventually w/her but time w/out baby is limited. Thanks again for your time. Also, she eats high quality dry kibble w/ canned on top.
-Moira

Answer
Hi Moira,   Wow! Border Terriers are one of my favorite dogs, you sure don't ever hear much about them.  Sorry to hear you lost yours.  
    For starters, I always see red flags when problematic dogs & Babies are mentioned in the same paragraph, much less the same sentence.   Your Baby is 10 months old with no problems yet, but always show great caution in these situations.  It can take dogs quite a while to understand.
    But I digress.   Your biggest problem, not responding to your commands, is because you really don't mean it when you tell her & because our dogs can read our minds (this is a discussion for another day), she knows she doesn't have to obey.  That's part of the reason we love them so much.
    This dog would benefit from a little boot camp, brush up training.   The main focus of this is establishing who (you?) is the boss & pack leader.  This is stuff most dogs enjoy because they like pleasing their superiors.  This way she gets her attention, but she has to earn it.
    Lets run down the basics.  All dogs need to be crate trained.  They should practice this every day.  By 4 years old, this should be second nature.  All dogs need to be taught to stand tied for a reasonable amount of time.  They should not fuss at all when confined to their quarters.  All dogs need a place to call their own, both inside & outdoors.  This place outdoors doesn't mean just running around loose in the yard.  This is either a sturdy chain or a kennel with reasonable shelter from the elements.  A place you can go chew your bone, dig a hole or throw up if you want to and not get in trouble for it.
    With all this in mind, get a short piece of light rope, attach it to your dogs collar & let her drag it around.  When she doesn't obey your command, grab this rope & pull her up tight, scold her & make her do as you said.  I realize this is alot of doin' for a busy mom, so at least give her a good time out in her crate.   It helps if your crate is the wire type with a see-through top.  Stand over her and scowl at her from your position of authority.  If you finesse this right, most dogs learn to like this attention, because they can tell they are really pleasing a superior being....You!
It will help if you can keep her at down or sit while she's in time out, but don't sweat the small stuff.  
     Time out outside is also an option and should be used as an alternate.  It's detrimental for Husky type dogs to spend too much time inside.  Draggin' that chain around is good exercise.  Kennels are fine too. Just no running around loose, you have to earn that.
   Always remember that this stuff doesn't happen overnight.  Dogs require alot of patience.  It's our job to help them understand.
    Good Luck Moira, Thanks for Asking,   Rob