[Blarg]

Agree VERY strongly that he came from an abusive background.

I'd suggest some things from handling cats that I learned. Cats are very fearful of new owners and new environments. Much more so than dogs, as cats are actually prey animals to many species, while dogs genetically are not.

When moving a cat to a new environment, or getting a new cat, you must first of all make sure a very uncertain or even terrified animal has little scary stimuli. Do so by letting them keep the crate, but keep the door open. You do not want to force your ways and pace on the animal, but let it adapt itself. You do the animal no favor by rushing things.

Put it in a spare bathroom or another nice warm room that does not get many visitors, if any. CLOSE the door and leave it closed. Ignore the animal for at least a couple or three days, although of course providing it food and water.

What you want is for the animal to get used to the idea of being in that place on his own, and eventually not afraid of the place, but at home enough to explore it. Wandering in and out of it is thus counter-productive. Let the animal first feel comfortable with one single room for a few days. The fact that it might actually get bored with one single room is actually a great plus, because it will do the double duty of making it comfortable where it is and raising its curiosity and need for other stimuli.

After a few days, open the door to the room. If the dog comes out, don't greet it with a shriek of delight and a dogpile of all the kids on its shivering carcass. Don't even look at it, as dogs take a direct look as a THREAT. Let it walk around while you pretend to be oblivious. It takes a heap o' sniffing to make a house a home. Let the dog explore and get comfortable on his own. He, and you, have a whole lifetime ahead of you. No need to rush. Eventually he will lose more and more fear, especially if you don't press him and rush things. As a pack animal, if he is mentally okay, eventually he will want to fit into his new pack. That's you and your family. Don't jump up and down and shout with glee; just let it happen naturally and make him feel it's natural too. If he wants to be petted, that's cool, and if he doesn't, that's fine too.

Eventually he will see his environment as not dangerous, and then familiar, and then, if you guys have your act at all together, as a good place to be. Remember to let him have his space when he needs it; he will love you very much for it. It's when they come to you voluntarily that you know you've won them over.

On an afternote on general dog behavior and getting them relaxed -- if you are not familiar with dogs much, be careful how you hold your hands. Don't hold the flat of your hand, or your hand at all on approaching a dog, above a dog's head, as that is the position you would whack him from. Even if you wouldn't, somebody probably has, and anyway it's probably genetic recognition of a position of disadvantage. Approach a dog with your hand with your palm open and turned up, and beneath his mouth, slowly. Let him sniff you even if he's known you forever. If you want to approach a skittish dog, speak to him first, so his first consciousness of what you're doing isn't physical or a sudden move. And don't look at him the way you would a person, as I mentioned, because while to a human that is a possible way to be disarming and honest, it represents a threat to a dog. Only when he comes to know you will he be able to read the human pattern of staring directly into the eyes as loving and not a challenge or admonition.

Finally, don't be too egotistical. Realize he's not you and that he needs his own psychological space and pacing. If you recognize and respect that, all the rest comes more easily and naturally. Works with people too.