Adopting an 8 year old Male Pomeranian?

Question
We are considering adopting an 8 year old male pomeranian from the local shelter.  His history is a little disconcerting, being that he was brought in with 5 other dogs, many cats and rabbits from a local home.  He appears very active and healthy as well as easy mannered and friendly.  His coat is a little rough and is slightly matted underneath, leading me to believe that he has spent much if not all of his time outside.

When I saw him at the shelter, he immediately wet the floor in his pen and had already had a bowel movement as well.  The attendants thought it was probably a little scared from all the barking of the bigger dogs.

If we do decide to bring him home, I would want to clean him up and get him indoors for good.  We have an 8 year Male American Eskimo, neutered, that is indoors mostly, and a 4 year old spayed female Chow/Shepherd mix that stays outdoors mostly, but is house broken.  

The concerns I have are these: 1) housebreaking an 8 yr old, any differences than puppies; 2) identifying any behavioral concerns that might come from a less than agreeable upbringing; and 3) how hardy they are to change, such as moving.  We are a military family and move every few years.  Our eskimo is on his fourth home and does well.  The Chow is on her second and did well after a couple weeks, but had a rough go of it moving cross country and getting settled into the new home and outdoors.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Time is short on the availability of this dog.

Thanks!

Answer
It sounds like he may have been kept outdoors and not socialized.  This will make housebreaking harder and change more difficult on him.  Keep in mind, though, that ALL dogs are their own "person" and that personalities vary from dog to dog.  Housebreaking an 8 yr old will be harder than housebreaking a pup in that a pup can be molded to know where to go but if a dog has lived his life being able to or having no other choice than to go where he sleeps/eats/lives (something they generally do not want to do)then it is harder to change those behaviors.  I wouldn't say impossible-just something you have to be more dilligent about staying on top of till he has it down.  When a puppy isn't properly socialized then it grows up to be a fearful dog who doesn't know for sure if people will hurt him so he may be more apt to bite or get snappy if cornered.  The ability to conform to change or be ok with moving is hard to predict since I haven't "met" the dog.  But by the sound of your description I would guess he would take it the same as yur chow mix.  The rescue I had come through my home has acclimated to a new loving envirnment better than I could have ever dreamed so it does work out sometimes.  Let the dog choose the pace at which affection is given and things will go more smoothly.

Good luck.
If you have any other questions you are welcome to send me a note.
-Trish
Gemini Poms
www.geminipoms.com
geminipms@comcast.net