Shelter dog - jumping, bumping body & teeth

Question
My new shelter dog, apx 5 y.o. spayed female dobie mix, who is generally gentle natured, has been jumping and bumping hard against me when I walk around at times in my yard (she's on a 20' leash attached to a stake) and in the house, but less often.  I try to just ignore it and keep walking as best I can but it is not diminishing.  Now she has added a putting her teeth on my hand.  Not closing her mouth on me, just bumping them against me.  What does this behavior mean and what can I do to get her to stop?

Answer
This might be a frustration behavior, the dog wanting to get your attention or engage you.  Especially outside, the dog might be enormously frustrated by being tied and unable to reach you, therefore attempts to force interaction when you are in the line of "charge" (so to speak.)  It is not an aggressive behavior; the dog is grasping your hand.  Ignoring it is one line of defense, but teaching this dog behaviors you can REWARD is far better.  You don't mention how long you've had this dog except for the word "new", which tells me it is most likely less than a month.  Your dog is attempting to establish a secure place in your pack and is also most likely extremely stressed and, perhaps, somewhat fearful (insecure.)

Learn about positive reinforcement training by going to Karen Pryor's web site or reading Patricia McConnell Ph.D. or Paul Owens.  Using this method (minus the clicker, use a visual signal or a made up word), teach this dog one behavior at a time, starting with a simply "sit" (but do NOT use that word as most dogs have learned to ignore it or associate it with painful reinforcement such as choker collar or worse.)  Do this with the dog indoors on a very lightweight short house tab (leash) which you will keep on the dog while she is indoors (not if she's alone, though) in order to control her behavior, stop her from jumping up (by stepping on the leash which will prevent her from being able to jump up), move her around the house, etc. without putting your hands on her (as tough is a primary reinforcer.)  Using a small food treat and what you've learned about positive reinforcement training, teach her the new command for "sit" in short intervals 3 or 4 times a day until you have a 100% solid surefire successful response (ten out of ten times.)

Once your dog has learned to "sit" (new word) on command EVERY TIME (should take two weeks or so), take the behavior outdoors with you standing within several feet.  Teach it all over again outdoors (as if for the first time) until you see a 100% successful response ten out of ten times.  Now you are ready to ask the dog to "sit" (with new word) whenever you see her attempting to jump up or bump you.  If you do NOT successfully interrupt that behavior, go back to square one and teach all over again until you can interrupt it with the command.  Every time the dog SITS (changes its own behavior at your new command), jackpot reward (handful of special treat) and praise/pet lavishly.  Soon your dog will forget the obnoxious jumping/bumping/grabbing and will begin to sit in front of you or near you for your praise and reward.  Then use the positive reinforcement training to teach other behaviors you would like to see, one at a time, very slowly over the next two to three months.

This dog is in need of TLC but also very clear, firm, patient, loving and consistent leadership until she can settle down and feel as though she belongs.