Hello I have a JRT that is aprox. 1yr old, we adopted him from a breeder recently and he is VERY skittish around people, is afraid of brooms, loves to jump on everyone, he also nips at anyone and everyones hands (feet too his is not picky). He is a very sweet dog, I am just wondering where to start we have an appointment with a trainer next week and at home we have him crate trained and he is "sitting" fairly well so far. Any pointers as where to begin are GREATLY appreciated.

I would strongly urge using the currently popular positive methods of training. Having said that, even the most positive trainers use denying attention to stop jumping and nipping. I softened my standard answer to biting after attending a training seminar a year ago.

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about
Biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting
Another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are
Alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months
They are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking
Moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another
Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find
One that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens.
Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can
Chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords.
Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The same turning away and leaving works well on jumping too. Whatever methods you use, the most important thing is consistency. He must never be reward with positive attention from biting or jumping.

Be very careful about the trainer you use. I reserve suggesting them for the worst cases. Although there are many good one out there, too many of them are self taught troglodytes, including Caesar Milan, having rediscovered techniques from the 50's. I would hate to see punitive methods applied to a formerly abused dog.

You may want to look over the books at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251804 Not all of them are the basic book you need. What you really need is the book I found the list in, but it isn't available to the public.

One thing the really helps with people is if the dog is food motivated is to have them give it treats.