Quote Originally Posted by BJ Slade View Post
This past Sunday, we adopted a 2-year-old (approx) female Aussie Shepherd mix from the Humane Society. She had been living in the shelter for the past year. We haven't really had any issues with her... no accidents, she sleeps quietly in her crate at night and she follows some basic commands that we are reinforcing.

Her behavior around the house I would best describe as standoffish. She lies quietly on the floor near us but doesn't engage very much. She also seems hesitant to go near her food and water dishes and we have resorted to feeding her a few pieces by hand to get her to eat.

The other unusual behavior she has demonstrated is right when she leaves her crate in the morning. I am the first one to go downstairs but she doesn't seem to be in a huge hurry (this after spending maybe 9 hours in the crate.) I have to attach her leash and lead her downstairs and once she is near the door she is ready to go. She finishes her business quickly and then goes right back upstairs. Is that new-house anxiety or is that her nature as a shepherd (and wanting to "herd" the family into one place)? She will come downstairs once the whole family is there.

We have two daughters, ages 8 and 6 and everyone has been good about giving the dog her space and allowing her to warm up to us.
Yes. You can teach it old tricks.