"Hugging"

I've noticed that my local Petsmart offers clicker training.  Does anyone have experience with their training methods?  Would anyone recommend them (or recommend I avoid them)?  Does anyone in the Phoenix, AZ area know of a really good trainer they would recommend?  I've been wanting to start training her and my other dog anyway, but felt I should wait until after the holidays.  So I was planning to start looking for a trainer now anyway.  If anyone has any recommendations for a good trainer, they would be much appreciated.

Refining your area with gates as someone already said and I would get her a crate of her very own.  She sounds like she missed a developmental stage along the difficult way she had prior to you(something to do with trust and security was skipped over, do you think?).  And saying this is "immobilizing you" rather than hugging is most appropriate.  
 
Crating a dog that has these kind of OCD behaviors help the dog to get control of herself.  Seems like they need a little quiet place just for them, and you put a soft blanket and maybe a nyla bone, soft toy...So, it is kind of like a crib to your child.  They like it and feel relaxed, and there is not any room for insecure feelings.  The words "go to your crate" is not punishment, but a time for relief, and relax, a happy place.
 
Setting limits with kids is not too much different than with dogs.  They need the rules to grow into well adjusted individuals.  And other people (and dogs) will like them much more.  Ever see a kid who is just begging for a parent to help them break a bad behavior?  And I don't mean a slap, but they get relief from being removed from a situation, calmed down and rules laid straight without confusion.
 
I think that the crate could be a very happy and valuable tool for the benefit of the dog and your people family!

So is an 8ft long, 4 ft wide hallway too big to count as a crate?  That is where she sleeps, where her toys and food are, etc.  She does share that space with our other dog, but they are practically inseperable as it is.

I'm not sure how I would set up gates around the house.  My house has odd corners, with no good solid angles from one corner to another.  The only doorways are the ones leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms and outside, and the hallway, which is where she sleeps and eats and where she goes if she gets too out of hand.  In fact, lately she seems to be spending a lot more time in there of her own accord, even if I leave the door wide open.

ORIGINAL: Katran

I've noticed that my local Petsmart offers clicker training.  Does anyone have experience with their training methods?  Would anyone recommend them (or recommend I avoid them)?  Does anyone in the Phoenix, AZ area know of a really good trainer they would recommend?  I've been wanting to start training her and my other dog anyway, but felt I should wait until after the holidays.  So I was planning to start looking for a trainer now anyway.  If anyone has any recommendations for a good trainer, they would be much appreciated.

YESSSS!!!!!!  Clicker training is a great idea, and often used for behavior modification.  But, I would try to find a really good trainer.  Sometimes the extra money is worth it.  Here are two sites with trainer searches:
www.peaceablepaws.com
www.clickertraining.com
If you want to see what a clicker trained dog can do, there are some free videos here:
www.clickertrainusa.com
www.clickerlessons.com has some free printed lessons, and there are some good articles here:
www.clickersolutions.com

I think the Arizona Humane Society has clicker training - you might want to try them.

Thank you for the resources!  I really appreciate it.  I adopted Maggie from the Humane Society, but never noticed any information there on any type of training.  I will check with them as well as look into the other links you gave me.  Thanks so much!  []

Just wanted to give an update.  The "hugging" is getting better as I've implemented some of the ideas you guys suggested.  We've started clicker training, though we're still in the beginning stages and I coudn't afford a trainer so I'm having to learn it on my own (long story involving DH being hospitalized with no insurance).  Thank you SO MUCH Spiritdogs for those websites!!  I can't tell you how much they helped me.

Ignoring her behavior when she tried to hug was really tough, as she put even more effort into it at first, but I stuck it out and she has gotten better.  She's still trying it from time to time, but not nearly as often.

I also started taking her to the dog park more often (they just built a new one much closer to us), and as she's had more interaction with more dogs and people, I've noticed that she's gotten more outgoing and less clingy.  I'm sure that combined with the better training is what is making such a difference.  I can tell that she is more confident, and she is becoming better trained overall.

Thanks so much for all the advice and support!  []