gaining control of my dog

Question
Please give me some tips for gaining control over my 11 month old shepherd mix female (spayed) dog. Specifically, she likes to jump at me. Also, when I put the leash on her, she turns and wraps her paws over it and takes the leash in her mouth, often springing at me in the process.

Answer
Having a good pack structure reduces such problems.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

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 she pulls.  She wants to go.  If you move forward when the leash is slack, and stop when she pulls, she should quickly figure out the only way to get to go, is not to pull.  This is about teaching her 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 her 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.  Unfortunately many dog obedience instructors are still mired in the 50's and may insist on the prong collars.  

As for jumping at you, something bad needs to happen every time, each and every time, at least a firm, but quiet ''Bad dog!'' in a voice that is more of a growl and sounds like you mean it.  A knee to the chest, stepping on the back paws, grabbing the front paws, turning your back and walking away, whatever you can make work.  

Spaying was the best idea.  An intact female is a big hassle you don't need, and makes obedience even more difficult.