rescue dog question

Question
What can we expect?? We have been asked to take on a choc. lab that is about 3-4 years old.  He is not neutered and been confined to a garage for at least two years.  The rescuers tell us when they take him outside he kind of freezes, like he does not know what to do.  We have two kids, large fenced in yard and swimming pool.  I guess the question becomes do you think he will be able to handle the stimulus of an active environment??

Answer
That is difficult to say.  Early socialization is very important, but it is tough to ruin a good dog.  There are those with more experience with rescued dogs that could give a better answer than I can, but it would be still be a guess.  If you posted such a question on an active dog forum, you might get a dozen answers all disagreeing with each other.  I amazed how many people can have strong opinions with little to back them up.  

I would love to hear back from you in a month that you went ahead and it was a great success.  I am not sure enough it would be to urge you to go ahead.  

If you go ahead, be careful not to push him too hard at first letting him adapt at his own pace.  Find some books on positive training methods.  Try some of these, What All Good dogs Should Know, By Wendy Vollmer, 1991

How to Raise a Dog When Nobody is Home, Jerry Kilmer, 1991

Puppy Primer, by Brenda K Skidmore and Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996

Beginning Family Dog Training, by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., 1996