new sheperd owner

Question
wow, my wife and I just came into ownership of a beautiful female sheperd, and from what we are told the last (GRRRR) owner left her outside, for over a week, I guess the owner had left or up and moved. the nieghbors watched out for her, and as of today we have had her about a day and a half. I can tell she has really been mistreated, as I have had a black lab that way years ago, he found me, but I really want to help her and I am stumped.... I believe she has been mistreated by a male that broke her spirit, I just read a website about sheperds, and I see that she doesn't look proud, more like a submissive. is there a way to get her spirit back and bring back her confidence? she could really use it.

Answer
Don't put your hand near the top of her head or make eye contact.  In addition to talking to her and giving her plenty of affection, try some of this.  Start with obedience training.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.  

Play tug of war with the dog and lose.  However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog.  Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made  lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Finally, make sure it has a den to live in.  If you are not using a crate, buy one.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at
feeding time for more than one dog. You may want to leave the door open at first.  

Thank you for taking her.  I hope she recovers her confidence.