Advice for abused dog...

In Turid Rugaas's book "On Talking terms with dogs- calming signals" she says something that I use and it works very very well. I use it at work all the time. I would say definitely have somebody in the room with you at all times- for backup.
What I do when I am approached, (or must approach) a strange, rather aggressive looking dog. (with the owner left or will be leaving, if the dog is with it's owner can cause it to resource guard it's owner).
First thing you have to establish is trust. Somehow get the dog in a room with you with no distractions and no places the dog can hide.
This is gonna sound nuts, but it works great on fear-aggressive dogs. Not sure if she fits the category, but here is what I do anyway:

I get down on the floor, with my back facing the dog (turned completely around) and I yawn a little bit, I lick my lips- tounge out so they can see it. . I agree, don't look at the dog. Eventually- and I mean eventually (we had one labrador mix at the grooming salon that normally won't let anybody touch it- it took me about 2 hours to get her to come out of her cage on her own) the dog may get curious enough to see what the heck that lump sitting in the middle of the floor is.
If she comes up to sniff you, don't pet her right away! Let it be her terms. If you go to reach her too fast, she's likely to snap.
After you've gained the trust of her comming up to you, you can talk to her. It may be baby talk it may be just saying how your day was, but they need to know that human voices are to be soothing, not painful.
Last but not least, when you feel confident enough, you can pet her. Just like they say, let her sniff your hand and pet her from the chest- never over the head because that's a threat in the dog's mind.
The lab that i was talking about above was from a severely abused home and this was the first place that didn't say "NO WAY" after she had bitten a number of groomers in the previous salon. It took me a good 2-3 weeks of her owner bringing her in, getting a treat and leaving.
Now we're best buddies!
 
Good luck Amy! I wish the best for you. I would definitely get that book by Turid Rugaas. It's a good read if you work with animals (in a veterinary, shelter, or grooming setting)
 

definitely don't look it straight in the eye. and i'd approach her from the side or at an angle rather than head-on. like thedoc617 said, don't pet her right away and wait for her to come to you. good luck!

I was thinking something along those lines.  I thought I would take it (him/her... not sure yet) into the yard on a leash and just sit down and hold the leash and let it walk around for a while while I just sit there and maybe after a bit it will come by me.  If not after a while Ill put it up and try again later, and continue this until we can establish something.  I dont want to get bit... I dont think I will though unless its just crazy ravenous but I doubt that. 
 
Also, even if *I* can establish a good relationship with this dog does that mean ANYONE can?  I know it will have different adoption criteria, but still can ANYONE adopt it?  Or will whoever, no matter who, have to go through all that stuff that I will have to??  Is this hopeless?  Im worried it will eventually be good with me but no one esle.  I know I will need to socialize it as much as possible slowly but surely as we progress, but Im afriad even then a stranger who comes in to see it.... it will revert back.  ?  Can this be done where it will not be agressive to strangers.  Boy, I didnt even think about that yet!  Sheesh. 

Oh BTW - its coming tomorrow.

Well, thanks Laura for the advice I appreciate it, and thanks Anna.
 
Ill let you guys know how it goes[]

Wow, this is a difficult undertaking.  Hopefully the info you received isn't all that bad and they are just saying so to get rid of the dog.   Although I would be wary of an agressive dog.  I believe I would seek help/advice from a professional trainer or a behaviorist to help guide you through the training. Good luck and keep us updated.

Bear was abused.  I don't know how severely, but bad enough that  the pound had had to set a trap to catch him because he wouldn't let anyone near him, not even with the enticement of food.  He was in the shelter a week before I adopted him.  When I brought him home, I took him straight to my room so he would have a quiet place, and I basically ignored him, no touching, no eye contact, he was so frightened!  But slowly he started to trust me., and now a little over a year later, he is animated, he is affectionate, he is obedient.  His favourite words are outside, treat, wanna play?  He never fails to jump up and give me chin kisses when he hears those words! 
 
I hadn't had any experience with abused dogs prior to that.  It's not easy, and it's frustrating, it takes a lot of time, but you love dogs and I know that you will be able to help this poodle.
 
Good luck!

Amy, I know you can do it.  I was going to suggest just what thedoc recommended.  Make her come to you.  Well not MAKE her but let her get comfortable with your presence & your calmness.  I think once she trusts that you're not going to hurt her you can go far with her.  Just please don't blame her previous owner in this case.

Good luck Amy!!  Everything I have read on this topic says not to look directly at the dog, and as was already said, yawning and licking lips are also calming signals .  Let the dog come to you (even going up to the dog making friendly noises and reaching out a hand to pet may seem to the dog like you are coming over to do harm). 
 
I would, when you are able to touch the dog, maybe start by petting his sides or rear, or chest even - not right over his head (bringing your hand right over a dog's head can be threatening).  I agree also with your idea that walking around together might be good for establishing a bond, so if the dog is leashed and you can hold the leash and move together, that would be great...  take a walk... 
 
When you know more, let us know, maybe people will have more specific suggestions and be able to help more!!

Okay not nearly as bad as I thought, but still not sure if this dog will be ble to be adopted anytime soon.  Shes actually very sweet.  Very scared and timid and all (to be expected) but very sweet.  She just really looks like she needs some love. 
 
Anyway, since they told me she was abused with food (I dont really know what the heck they did to her) and decided after a while to touch her nose.  Yup that did it.  I gently put my finger on her nose and she raised her lips a little so I took it off and she was okay.  So I did it for longer next time (still not long just a few seconds) and she got very upset (showing teeth and growling - about to bite) and then wouldnt let me go by her again.  No matter what.  So I left and came back later and she was fine again, I didnt touch her nose again today.  But, Im confused, she cant be doing that and all I can think of (sorry if its a dumb idea - thats why Im sharing) is to keep doing just that.  Gently touching it... maybe then some treats??  Touch the nose and start from scratch is basically how its goes.

I'm certainly not an expert but I'd work on getting her trust in other areas before touching her nose again.  Pet her sides & chest.

I agree - I would work a while with the dog, gain her trust, pet all other areas that she allows comfortably and wait it out for a while.  Once you are friends and some of the timidness is gone, maybe you can figure out a way to desencitize her to nose touching/face touching...  I hope some trainers/behaviorists who have seen this type of thing will come along, they would know best...

I hope so too...

I have no input on this,,, I was just reading these posts for the heck of it.
Wanted so say, its great you are trying so hard and good luck!  It sounds like it will take a while and you will succeed!