training a puppy mill rescue dog

Question
We rescued a 4 year old female beagle five weeks ago from a puppy mill.  She was obviously very timid as I believe she has spent her whole life in a basement.  She will be spayed in two weeks.  She has attached herself to my 12 year old daughter, whom she kinda listens to.  She is very cold with me and terrified of my husband.  I realize that given her past she needs a not of patience.  I believe she had no human interaction of any kind.  We live in the country and have an 8 year old golden retriever cross.  I believe that she is actually quite smart, but she is spooked very easily even by her own shadow!  We have been taking for for walks at least twice a day, but there are times when she feels that she should go by herself.  We have been recently letting her off of the leash when we are outside with her.  But once she starts off down the drive, she will not come back.  And once she is out of the yard she takes off to my parents a quarter mile down the road (there is next to nothing for traffic).  I don't mind the fact that she goes there on occasion (our other dogs have always done that), but she needs to learn that she can't go when she pleases.  She is not road trained - totally spooked by the odd vehicle.  I need her to start listening.  This is one area where even my daughter can't control her.  I need her to start listening.  How do we get her to come back once she has started off?  I don't particularly want to tie her up ( I don't like doing that).  Our yard is fenced on three sides with an electric fence, but there is nothing along the front, and it's much too big to fence, plus we have never had to fence with any of our other previous dogs.  
I realize that she has had no training of any kind before now, but she is not bad at most commands once you can get her to come to you.  It's like she doesn't want any love.  Will it just take time for her to come to realize that she needs love?  I know she's loving the outside - is she just so preoccupied with all of this freedom right now?  Will she come around?  It's getting very frustrated.  I must admit we've been very spoiled by our other dogs.  We lost a dog six weeks ago who was also a rescue, but she was so desperate for love and affection, it was easy.  How do we get this dog to come home and stay home?  And learn to accept the fact there is lots of love for her here?  Please help.  Thanks.

Answer
Lynette, right now, I would not allow her outside off the leash at ALL. You are probably right when you say that this dog has had very little human interaction. That means that she is going to be less likely to want to listen to or please you than a dog that has had proper socialization. Humans mean nothing to her. Why should they have any value? Up until now, the only thing a human meant was that she was going to be fed or bred. She may never become a loving lap dog. I hope you are prepared for that. Being that she is a hound makes things a little more difficult as well. Hounds can be very stubborn when it comes to training.


Until you have a 100% bombproof recall on leash, around all kinds of distractions, she should not be allowed off leash outside. One of my YouTube videos explains one method of teaching the recall. You may find it helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySD6dfI7vcI