Training a Lab under a year, but not so much a puppy.

Question
HELP.  I have a lab that is less than a year but full grown.  She is healthy and happy. But she is getting into everything.  My husband and I got Patches about 2 weeks ago.  We got her through a Foster Home program.  She was not so much a puppy when we got her.  All they could tell us is that she ws younger than a year.  Well the first week went great and she got used to not getting on the couch, walking on a leash, and basic commands (ie. Sit, stay, and sometimes shake).  After that week she is getting into EVERYTHING. When my husband went to work one night she got into the trash, now she has a thing about getting stuff out of the sink in the kitchen, and she is chewing and destroying things outside and inside.  We have her inside she is destroying everything inside, but we put her outside she is doing the same thing.  I would never beat or hit a dog.  I grew up with all types of dogs and I know not to do that, but she is not reacting to stern voices.  she lowers herself to the grown and crawls to you when she knows she did bad, but she never seems to learn.  What do we do?! Help!!  Please.
Thank you.

Answer
Follow this plan IN ORDER: exercise, discipline, AFFECTION: (WITH NO VERBAL SOUND, PREFERABLY). You do not need to scream at your dog when disciplining. It makes her think you are unbalaned and will try to take over. Think about it. In the wild, and in our homes, do dogs ever scream at eachother? Walk her twice a day, at least 30 minutes each time. If you must skip a walk, replace it with a treadmill, but don't leave your dog alone on the treadmill and leave the house, it's dangerous. I recommend the book " Cesars Way" by Cesar Millan. You can get it @ Amazon.com. This is definitely the book for you, and I recommend it to all dog owners, if you want your dog to live a healthy, happy life.

Never let her walk ahead of you. She is permitted to walk beside you or behind you, but never in front, as this is a sign of dominance. If you let your dog walk in front of you, ever, not just on walks, you're telling her she is the leader. Never let her jump on you either ( Another sign of dominance). If she ever does anything you don't approve of, lay out a flat hand, curl your fingers a little bit, and bump her firmly, but not too hard. Follow it with a firm "chtttt". This is like a dog nip, which does not hurt her in anyway, but just gets his attention and startles her. It tells the dog this behavior is not allowed. Hope this helped!!!

P.S. Spay her, It DEFINATELY makes a difference. Don't crate train her. It doesn't work at just confuses her. She's not like a child. She doesn't remember anything after like 30 seconds.