Quote:
I have two Aussies. Neither is a biter, but one is far more mouthy than the other. The more high strung of the two (more typical Aussie!) is a dog who likes things his way, likes to be in control..he's not a biter, but he barks hysterically and uncontrollably when in new situations and stressed. The stress seems to be from the fact that he can't control new situations - once he is familiar, the barking stops. Since your problem is basically rooted in who controls what, my solution may help you, too.
Any time I encounter a new person, dog, place, I start right out getting his attention on ME. I do this by having him sit or down, often running through four or five commands one right after another: sit, down, sit, stand, down, sit, then I might back away and say, come. Then we start to walk again. If he whines or stares or loses focus from ME, I do it all over again. Sometimes just heeling in a circle (turning into the dog, not away) will re focus him. LOts of praise when he is doing well. When meeting other people, make him sit and stay at your side. Never let him greet first. He gets no attention from the new person unless he is sitting quietly. Ask the new person to ignore him, not even looking at him until he is sitting quietly. Be careful, when he is staying, not to say, in conversation, "OK", or whatever your release word is. He will think you are talking to him. Practice walking right up to new people and at the last minute (or as soon as he shows interest in them, turn and walk some other way.
The idea is to teach him that YOU are in control of whether or not he gets to approach otheres, that YOU are in charge of the way he greets people. Right now, he thinks he can set the rules about who touches him. Often, have him sit at your side, a person comes up to you, you shake hands, exchange a hi how are you, and the person goes on their way. When they leave you, they should pass on YOUR side, not the dog's. On these occasions, the dog should not get to greet, nor should he get any attention at all, not even a look. He needs to learn that his job is to sit quietly and let you decide the rules. When he is comfortable with this, do the same thing with him in a down at your side.
When anyone comes to your house, the same applies. He doesn't get to be at the door ahead of you; if he gets there first, he needs to get back and sit/stay while you admit and greet the person. Have him stay put while you lead the person into the interior of the house. Then he gets to come and sit or down next to you while you visit.
You should also pick up all toys, bones, etc. and (you may already do this) if he wants one, he has to sit or down. Have him stay, put the item on the floor about a foot away and stand over it while he stays. give it just a few seconds at first, if he moves, put your foot on the toy, give him a stern "Ah-ah" and insist that he stay where you had put him. He's not too young for any of this as long as you don't make him stay too long at first. When he's staying, looking attentively at you, you can step away from YOUR toy (don't back away) walk away as if you 've lost interest, but walk toward him so you can block him if he jumps up. Don't be threatening an loom over him, just walk up to him, give him praise while he's staying, then step aside and release him. I say step aside, because you don't want him dodging around you to get something he wants. You have to be very clear that you are allowing him to have it.
I hope this makes sense - it worked very well on my younger Aussie, and he's a much calmer, happier dog now that he knows I can handle things and will let him know if his assistance is required. Good luck - a busy Aussie is a happy Aussie, and they can be the best dogs in the world if you achieve this with them. I do Rally obedience, regular obedience, herding, agility, and my older Aussie pulls one of my Newfounland's carts! They will do anything for you.
Sorry - just re read your post - one more idea, though this is what I've heard other people use (my guys have never been bothered by people touching their things)
As far as the food thing, you could invite other people over (dog people, please, to start with) and have them hold her bowl and give her dinner one kibble at a time, while she sits and stays, for maybe half of it. Then they put the bowl down, and she stays (briefly) until you release her. Let her have a few nibbles, then pick up the bowl and hand it to the guest, who feeds her one at a time for a few more kibbles, then have her sit and stay and set the bowl down again. Let her finish eating. You would have to use your judgement about when or whether to let a guest pick up the bowl from her, but she does need to understand that she is not in charge of anything - you are - and that includes her behavior toward other people.
Anyway, again, Good Luck! And do keep it positive. Always teach her what you DO want, it's lots easier, quicker, and better results than trying to teach her what you DON'T want. Before she behaves in a way you don't like find a way to show her what you do like, praise her to the skies for doing it, and don't let her get what she wants unless she first does what you want.