I think you should try and stop the pacing. It is a compulsive behavior, which probably came from being in a kennel for so long. Aussies are smart dogs, and the more you work with this dog to help her realize her potential, the better off she will be mentally and physically. To add her to the feeding line, make certain you feed whoever is alpha first ALWAYS, and you can start by having them all in a sitting position and handing out small treats to each on in the line. One after the other, again and again for about 5 times. Many Aussies and BC's are not food oriented, they are more interested in DOING something. So feeding near another dog may not be an issue. You might try and put the bowl in the same room as the others, but in a different corner. Always standing by in case someones head comes up.
KUDOS to you for rescuing this pup, always a great thing in my book. I hope all goes well with you and your new addition. The more stupid pet tricks you can teach this furbaby the better, also you might see if the tennis ball, or a stick or a frisbee might help reduce the pacing. If you see your pup pacing, take it outisde to play fetch for awhile. It might help. Good luck

Congratulations Nancy. It sounds like Samantha is doing well and she has found a wonderful new family. She is adorable and really suits your pack. It will be fun for all of you as she learns the ropes and becomes a 'real dog.' :-)

Mazer, actually the current thinking is that it isn't so important who 'eats first' as it is 'who finishes last.' And since the human is the Alpha, the human can choose to feed in any order he/she wants and the pack accepts that. For instance, you may feed first the dog who sits most quickly and gives you paw or says 'please.' You might feed a different dog first each day. Again, since the human is the alpha, this is the human's decision NOT the alpha dog's. I agree the human can create stress in the dogs if a lower rank member is consistently treated at a higher level, that's not a good approach either.

Mazer, she has never seen toys and is still too afraid of them. No balls or toys yet, she just runs away from them. We always have the boys sit, stay, and go down and then wait until we give the word to eat. Since Sabrina is so skittish, there is no starting her training yet. No sit and wait for her dinner, we are just happy that she is now eating. At first, she was not. Once she is more comfortable, we should be able to teach her things. Remember, she is five years old and has only been a pet for a little over a month. She also just got spayed four weeks ago. She is pacing less before she settles. She is running around a bit with the boys outside. Once the ice is gone and it is safer for me to walk (I need a new knee and am unsteady) we will try that.

Thanks for the encouragement, Mazer and Cynthia.

Sabrina is such a pretty dog. I'll bet DH,s head has swollen twice its size he being the one Sabrina has chosen as hers.
Sounds like you're doing a super job with her as she settles in.

Good Luck and God Bless You,
vickie

I once fostered, then adopted, a Border Collie with physical problems and an unknown history. Like your dog she was afraid of toys and didn't know what to do with them. After watching my other dogs, and gaining some confidence, she slowly started to play with the toys after about 3 months. She liked to carry her favorites outside to play with them and often I would discover them the following spring while working in my flower beds!

Also, on the treats.........try raw veges. My newly adopted guy LOVES carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and sometimes apple. He'd rather have those than commercial treats any day!

Sabrina is a doll...........I'm so glad she found such a great home!

Wow, I did not realize how skittish she is...my dog was afraid of toys when he came to live with me as well. I remember the first time I threw a tennis ball towards him, hit him square between the eyes...poor baby, still has no idea of what to do with a ball, and forget a play ball like a soccer ball - total fear.
In these cases the only thing you have to worry about is comforting your dog too much, if you do it at the wrong time, you inadvertently reward the skittish behavior...so good luck with that. Hopefully she will learn from the other dogs that she is safe and how to play. I would love to hear her progress notes.
With regard to what cynthia states - this is a recipe for a dog fight. Even though humans should eat first and establish themselves as an alpha in the home, dogs will fight over a position within themselves, and if a human has had a dog for a couple of years and a new dog is added to the mix, if the human starts feeding that second dog first, or showing affection towards the second dog first it will start issues depending on the dogs. I knjow because I have seen it myself. While my friends ate first and the dogs fed afterwards, their new dog repeatedly tried to unseat the first male dog in their home. That dog was almost killed. So even though humans can interject themselves into an alpha role, if not careful with each new dog, while determining temprament it is important to keep the pack in the same order as always. I have also seen friends with dogs, get boyfriends with dogs and have problems with the order of things involving their dogs. It is something to be mindful of.

Mazer, You are behind on your ethology, or perhaps too much Cesar? lol. Can I recommend respectively that you read Jean Donaldson and Patricia McConnell (both respected degreed professionals) or even just current journals on dog behaviour. I think you have many good practices, walking is one most would agree on, but the 'alpha eats first and human east first' is outdated and inaccurate. And frankly silly. I think we are in agreement on the point about caution on intefering with the pack developing it's own order. But I'm sure Nancy understands that, and honestly I don't think she was asking for a lecture. I responded to your comments only because they were not accurate, and I worry about these 1950s theories being promoted here as 'fact'. The Monks of Skeet have apologized for promoting bad practices, while you are tenaciously holding on. Your friends dog had a behaviour problem that was not managed. If your friend or you were postively managing the situation it would not have happened.

Thanks for the update Nancy! I was hoping all was going well so far. :)

Sabrina has a lot to get used to. I would give her some time to take it all in. Sounds like you are all heading in the right direction. She does need to learn how to live in a house and be a pet and part of a pack, her whole life has changed in a month.. all for the better!

Keep us posted how she does.
Sher

I had an insecure foster. 12 years later you'd think he was still beaten everyday if you flicked your hand around his face or spoke harshly. The first time I saw him running, chasing Murphy smiling with his tongue hanging out I nearly cried. He did learn to play with toys. He was a loving, affectionate dog.

Congratulations. Sabrina is a pretty girl. She'll get better with time but may never let go of some of the past.

What a fortunate girl, to have you. She is so sweet & I think you have what it takes to help her. I thank God, everyday, for people like you. Please keep us posted & good luck. Sabrina, you're a doll!

Thanks, all. She really is a joy. Today I was off work (I contract with the govt, so it was a holiday) so I cooked. She ate little pieces of meat out of my hand, nibbling carefully around my fingers. she did best, of course, if I held out my hand behind my back and let her approach from behind. She is so funny! When I was trying to get something out of the oven, I could feel her up against my legs, so shuffled backward a few steps, pushing her back with each step. She is a leaner - leaning against your leg as you pet her. And she scoots behind you when you are in the kitchen, getting between you and the cupboards. So far, though, she has been fleet of foot enough to avoid getting stepped on.

Of course, now that I spent a day with her at home, I am loved, too. She didn't even run to DH when he got home. She did stay with him and watch TV while I did something in my craft room, though. Casey appreciated that, he has been my "spotted shadow" and he took his post at my door.

What a beautiful creature that found you!

I had the same type of experience last year. Only a four month old Shepherd/Hound puppy found me. She is now about 14 months, and a beautiful dog, however, she is going through what my vet termed "dog adolescence" which is causing all sorts of challenges.

SG

nancy, I am so happy to read all of these updates! She is a beauty, and you are all lucky to have found each other. Can you imagine what this sweetheart is feeling, having such a wonderful, warm home for the first time in her life? If a dog could pinch themselves, I'm sure she is! Please keep posting stories and photos!