Any Suggestions?

Well, you've only had her 4 days, the nipping and what not is likely just her testing her limits with "new mom".
 
I wouldn't suggest a choke chain...they are quite ineffective (IME, I only use them for conformation), and if you want to use a corrective collar, I would use a pinch over a choke any day (I'm one who prefers pinches to head halters and no pull harnesses...it's just personal preference).
 
As for crating for "Discipline" I just call it a "time out".  The dog isn't in any real trouble, and I don't yell or say anything other than "Kennel".  I give the dog a chew bone or something to occupy his mind, and he just stays in there for awhile, so we can both have some time apart before I want to beat him, lol (obviously I'd never beat my dog, but somedays they just drive you nuts!).

The only thing I could think of was to cross my hands at my chest and not look at her when she was jumping on me. Then when she calmed down I had her lay down for a little bit.

 
I think what you're doing is probably an excellent idea.  I agree with Xeph regarding the choker collar.  I've never had any luck with them, and I think at 9 months old, she's still testing things out and just needs more training but not in an aversive way.  I had great luck with the halti type collar with one of my dogs, but it was a disaster with the other.  I think the sensi halter (not sure if that's the correct name) which contols more at the chest level, is another alternative.  What type of dog do you have?

I agree that her only being 9 months, she is still very young, combined with only being with you for 4 days....... yeah, she's probably "testing the waters" a bit.

I think some clicker obedience training would do wonders for building a positive relationship with this dog. 

I find that it's better to work on building a mutual trust and develop your leadership role with the dog before diving into any type of corrections.  The best way I know to do that is through NILIF and clicker training - it's fun for you and the dog.

JMHO [8|]

She's a husky/shepard mix. 

With such a new dog, I'd really first focus on building a bond between you through NILIF and positive training with an eye to just having fun, not building the perfectly heeling dog. The bond has to come before any more advanced skills are going to happen (and loose leash walking really is an advanced skill for a dog, though it is so fundamental that we tend to see it as basic).

I don't use a crate to discipline or punish because it is really key that the dog see his crate as a happy, fun, good-times place--the crate has to be a place where the dog wants to go voluntarily. When I do need to get the dogs to just chill out for whatever reason, I may put them in their spots, but in a good way--they get treats or a bone to work on. It isn't a punishment, just an enforced relaxation period.

For now I'd focus less on you controlling the dog and more on how you're going to show the dog that doing what you ask is fun and rewarding. Dogs will always be autonomous beings with choices. In training, I prefer to help a dog make a good choice, not force a dog to submit to my power or control. Also, choke chains are very bad for a dog's trachea.

What does NILIF stand for?

Dump the choke.  IMO it is too soon for you to be using it - I think that aversive devices come in:
1. after you have built a bond with the dog and
2. after a more positive method has failed. 
They are also easy to misuse.... just putting one on the wrong way round can be hugely harmful to the dog and hinder training because the chain doesn't loosen and so the dog has no clear distinction of what it is he is not meant to be doing.... he can be "corrected" for completely the wrong thing or more likely, does not feel "corrected" at all but just feels a constant discomfort around his neck. 
They are not really intended for pullers.... they are for dogs that already walk on a loose lead and a correction is applied by a quick jerk-and-release.... a constant pulling will not allow for this because there is no slack in the lead.
The timing and amount of force used also needs to be spot on for it to be effective.  It's better to have the guidance of a trainer who can show you how to use it.

I second the NILIF approach.
 
I wonder what your expectations of her are when walking, whether you expect a "heel" position or whether you just like the lead to stay slack, becaus ethe former is a tough call if your walks are as long as an hour.... perhaps you could try lowering your criteria, make the walk a little shorter and praise her up and down when she walks comfortably?

You say she is 9mo and you have had her for 4 days.... so where has she been before she came to you?  Do you know anything of her history and what kind of training she has had?  This is highly relevant.  The jumping up and nipping may just be her attempts at playing with you because she has not been taught how to play appropriately.  I think you were exactly on track with stopping, folding your arms and looking away when she does this but you need to be steadfast - intermittently rewarding her for this will make it much worse! 

I think you should apply a similar approach when she nips or mouths at playtime - the moment her teeth touch skin withdraw ALL attention.  I find it helpful to actually leave the room at that point , silently, without looking at the dog.... and return after 30 secs or so in the same manner.  Wait for her to be calm before calling her to play or cuddle again.

You're right that the crate should never be used as a punishment - but this does not mean that you can't place her in it when she is over excited or too rough when playing in order to help her calm down - just don't drag, shove or scold or anything of that nature.

NILIF: [linkhttp://www.k9deb.com/nilif]http://www.k9deb.com/nilif[/link]


Is it bad that I actually have that URL memorized? []

Houndlove: It's not bad for me.  Thanks for the link.
 
Chuffy: She was with a young family.  Probably in their late 20s or mid 30s.  They had two kids.  They wanted to find a new home for her because they said they didn't have time for her anymore.  She's been to puppy obedience.  She knows sit, down, drop ( her toys ). 
 
I guess I've just watch the Dog Whisperer too many times.  He always has the dog at his side and not infront of him. 
 
I just wanna make sure I'm not doing anything that we are going to have to go back and fix later. 
 
I like the NILIF approach.  I'm going to work on it immediately.

I just wanna make sure I'm not doing anything that we are going to have to go back and fix later.

 
HAHAHAHA!  I'm not laughing AT you I swear!  It's just that such a thing isn't possible!  ALL of us, with EVERY dog we have had and will ever have, will always make mistakes with those dogs that we'll have to go back and fix.
 
Each dog is a learning experience, and we learn not to do certain things over and over (Like putting on a collar wrong), but the fact of the matter is, every dog is an individual, and every dog has a "feeling out" period, and when you're training, you're going to make mistakes.  That's just how it is.  None of us are perfect.
 
Things are better with Strauss than they were with Ranger, and the training with my next dog will be even better, and I will improve and improve and improve in my ownership and handling skills, but the fact of the matter is, becoming the perfect dog owner is like trying to breed the dog that fits the standard perfectly in each and every way.  We can strive for it, but realistically, it's just not possible.
 
In the words of Ms Frizzle: "Take chances!  Get Messy! make mistakes!"

HAHAHAHA!  I'm not laughing AT you I swear!  It's just that such a thing isn't possible!  ALL of us, with EVERY dog we have had and will ever have, will always make mistakes with those dogs that we'll have to go back and fix. Each dog is a learning experience, and we learn not to do certain things over and over (Like putting on a collar wrong), but the fact of the matter is, every dog is an individual, and every dog has a "feeling out" period, and when you're training, you're going to make mistakes.  That's just how it is.  None of us are perfect.

yeah...life would be sooooo boring otherwise.