My Golden has some behavior problems, I think

Question
First, thank you for your response!
"Tank" was adopted by my son and I about 2 months ago at 7 months old.  He was a big boy at almost 70 lbs. then...and is growing, healthy and the most loveable guy we could have ever wanted!

He absolutely HATES his kennel - it's like a battle to get him to go in, even when he's getting his bone or toy;  we either have to drag him in or my son has to pick him up and move him...he's one stubborn personality.

He nips (somewhat lovingly) at everyone that he doesn't consider "his people" - even my son's girlfriend, and she's here all of the time.  My son is a senior in high school so there are a lot of kids around...he loves to play but gets a little agressive in my point of view.

He chews on anything and everything.  I don't have many shoes left and my son is missing a few shirts!  Went out for a walk last night without him and he chewed up a pillow and a fake tree in a matter of 30 minutes.  

I have to admit, he doesn't get as much exercise as he may need - a walk a day, I know - but, in the heat, I don't want to over-do it with him or myself.  He's not good on the leash yet - I'm 5'2" and 120 lbs. - so, it's more like him taking me for a walk.

I've taken him around the yard - he knows the boundaries yet still takes off the minute he's off the leash.

He's still very much a puppy - a large one - and we just want to do the best for him.

All suggestions are needed - wish we could just let him run but, it's not in the cards.  We have 1/4 acre, twinhome, small environment and am sure he'll learn eventually but, in the meantime, we need your help, ideas and thoughtful suggestions.  He's such a sweetheart!  (I'm on a limited budget so I hope you won't suggest invisible fencing!)  We take him to the doggie park to play when its not too hot but otherwise he has no place to play or run because he takes off like a dart.  He's learned "come/stay" inside - outside is another story.
Help!  

Answer
I would continue to insist he uses his kennel  for a chewer, it is the only way to keep him and your possessions safe.  he could choke or have intestinal blockages from what he shreds.  Perhaps a Kong stuffed with peanut butter would encourage him to accept it.

Start with a good 6' leather
leash and a sturdy slip collar, the metal chain ones with the rings on each
end. You want the shortest one that will go on and off easily. If you walk
with the dog on the left, pull the chain through one loop forming a "P".
Facing it, slip it over its head. The free end should come over the neck to the leash, and the other end should drop slack when there is no pull on the leash.

Easier dogs will give up their pulling with a few good snaps of the leash
combined with a stern "Bad dog!".  You can work up to forceful corrections
with the leash doubled up in both hands and your whole body behind it.   But
you don't want to use any more force than you need.  One gentle technique I
like is to just stop when he pulls.  He wants to go.  If you move forward when
the leash is slack, and stop when he pulls, he should quickly figure out the
only way to get to go, is not to pull.  This is about teaching him not to
pull, not getting somewhere.  The man that taught it to me said "If in a half
hour you haven't made it out to the front walk, fine, you have taught him a
lesson.

Still, you may want to switch to a head collar.  The leading brands are Promise,  Haltie, and Gentle Leader.  They have a strap going around the dogs nose looking something like a muzzle.  They work by pulling the dogs head around.  No other way gives you such great control with so little force.  The prong collar is now a
dangerous relic of value only for its macho looks.  Do not consider using one
without hands on instruction from somebody with plenty of experience with them.


The "shut the puppy in a safe room" is a fallacy.  Very few houses even have a
safe room.  How many of us have a room with a hard surfaced floor and nothing
else?  Most rooms have electrical cords to chew if nothing else.  In addition
to destroying anything a bored puppy finds to chew, it may choke or have
intestinal  blockage from the pieces.  I had a friend that left her dog in a
"safe" room.  It ate a hole in the floor covering.  The safe rooms fail to
give the dog the comfort of the enclosed space their instinct requires.  Nor
do they restrict activity extending the time the dog can go without relieving
itself.

I forget what all I have suggested.  If I didn't suggest obedience training, get him in a good program.  Could he be gaining weight too fast?  Did I send you to http://www.puppychow.com/products/popup_body_condition.aspx

Relying on come to control most dogs loose outside is risky, and I do not
recommend it.  Dogs are individuals.  Some can be trained to come when you have
no way to enforce it, but some will never be completely reliable even for the
most experienced trainers.

The biting is a problem.  Part of the trouble is that it is so quick, it is difficult to apply a good correction especially when it is nipping somebody else.  A top dog does not put up with biting by a lower status one.  Give a warning
stern "Bad Dog!".  In
stubborn cases, I repeat the "Bad dog!" right in its face with the dog on its
back. Hold it down until it lifts one back leg to show submission.  Use one
forearm under his jaw to keep his teeth away from your face.  Another very
effective technique if the dog is small enough, is to pick it up with your
hands
behind its front shoulders and hold it out with its back to you.   Make sure it
is far enough out it can't fling its head into your face.   Hold it until it
quits struggling and relaxes.  If you can't do either of those, try the squirt
bottle.  Fill it with water and a little vinegar or lemon juice.  Give it a
squirt in the face as soon as it misbehaves.  Dogs
hate that.  Dachshunds have a reputation for being stubborn.  The solution to a
stubborn dog is an owner that is even more stubborn.  Every time he snaps or
growls, he immediately gets which ever bad consequence works best for you.
Don't forget the praise and petting when he finally yields.