Brand new dog owner - Need Help!

I can't say much for the potty training as I just got my puppy and I'm still working on it. But as far as the leash thing goes, (this worked for my pit) to get them used to the leash, just hook the leash to her collar and let her walk around the house with it on(don't let her chew on it though, that could cause problems for walks). Once she gets used to just wearing it, try picking it up and walking around the house with her..once she gets used to that you should be able to walk her in the yard..and then move to walking on a path. It shouldn't take too long for her to get used to it, but by the way it sounds from the place you got her, she didn't get much human interaction..so she is going to be scared for a little while until she gets used to you and your house, but she should warm up soon, when she realizes that people = yummy food and treats and love!

Wow...you have a BIG challenge ahead of you!
 
What it sounds like to me is that this dogs received little to no human contact in her formative time..that being from about 4-16 weeks of age. Se grew up in a large pack with her parents and probably little else.
 
If the dogs in the yard with her were her pack then she likely has no idea how to act without them. She sounds very scared and like she has shut down.
 
I think what you need to do is spend time with her on leash in the house and yard...speaking quietly, offering treats, reassuring her. This dog will likely never be totally comfortable around strange people but with a lot of work she can come around. Chows are not known for overly outgoing with strange people anyways...
 
Find a behaviorist in your area and do a consult...many times these are free. They will come and observe your dog in her environment. I don't think she'd do well "out" in a class with other dogs and strange people. Getting in touch with a behaviroist is probably the best thing right now.
 
In all honesty I don't think you could have chosen a more difficult situation for your first time owning a dog. This person giving away the dog sounds like someone who doesn't spay and neuter so the dogs are likely all closely related which may account as well for some temperament quirks. It's going to be a real challenge but I think if you find a good behaviorist used to working with poorly socialized dogs then it's already getting easier []

Thank you for your quick reply.  I had thought about leaving the leash on her but wasn't sure if that would really help or not.  I will do that now since that was your suggestion.  Now if she would just walk around the house.  LOL She's been laying in her bed in the bathroom all day.  Poor thing seems very confused.

You are right in that she didn't have much human interaction.  And I'm guessing she probably misses the other dogs.  We have 2 cats here who are so curious about her and so far so good in that area.

Thank you for your reply rwbeagles.  You are right in that she is scared and shut down. When she does stand up and walk around a little her tail is tucked between her back legs and she'll take a couple steps forward, then a couple steps back and then sit down again.  She's obviously confused.  But she is very very sweet.  When I sit with her she gets very excited, wagging her tail and panting heavily.  But she still won't get up and walk around with me. 

She was also the youngest in the pack and very quiet.  We picked her because she wasn't barking and jumping on the fence like the other dogs. 

Should I keep her confined in the bathroom for now while I'm trying to pottytrain her?  It's not hard, even with the door open, she won't come out. lol

What you want to be careful of..is pushing her too hard before you really know her. It's not uncommon for dogs who have shut down because they are fearful to bite without a lot of preamble. You being new to dogs need to really study up on dog body language. The leash helps with that because it allows you safe way to control her movements without her feeling she is being grabbed etc.
 
Don't get me wrong, some dogs would never dream of biting even when pushed to the edge and over it...others, well. Bad thing is you don't know what you have yet...and the lack of socialization makes things even more difficult.
 
I would tread lightly with her until you know her better, get a behaviorist in to observe, and get some encouraging signs like a more relaxed body posture, curiosity, interest in treats and being handled, a low loose tail wag...etc.
 
The housebreaking should really take a backseat to you guys bonding and getting comfortable with each other. I would restrict her movements around the house to a small easily cleaned area and just spend time there sitting on the floor and talking treating, etc.

Even the most well-socialized dogs can take some time to come out of their shells in a new home situation. I adopted a kennel-raised untrained dog back in April and it took him several weeks to open up a bit, be less confused and start to really dig life as an inside pet dog. It's a really big change for your dog and it's going to take some time. Marlowe (the dog we adopted) just kind of stood around and stared for about two weeks before settling in.
 
I give a big second to keeping her leashed to you. It will aid in housetrianing and also work to create a bond between you.
 
But as your dog gets more comfortable, this is when further behavioral issues are going to come up. Be prepared. Right now the dog is "shut down" and not doing anything at all. Once she begins to open up, that's when you're going to encounter issues like inappropriate chewing, barking, possible seperation anxiety, nipping, things like that. Not to scare you, but just to prepare you. She may have none of those issues, but you can't evaluate that right now.
 
In the mean time, keep it positive, keep the home environment as quiet and non-threatening as you can, give lots of rewards for any sign of improvement. She's probably not going to be too interested in toys until she opens up, but keep some around to offer periodically and don't get frustrated when she doesn't want to play.

First off take yourself a nice big breath and RELAX.  You've already gotten some great advice, but think of this from your pups point of view.....he was living on earth in a situation that he found quite nice, since that's all he knew and suddenly he's living in a scarey place where all the rules are different...Mars so to speak. Please take particularly what Gina has said to heart....not to discount anyone else tho.....
 
The one thing I have NOT seen mentioned is getting this boy to the vet ASAP.  I suspect this fellow did not immunize or worm his pups and these are things that need taking care of.
 
Understand that only ONE vaccine gives the needed immunities, so at this age the pup does NOT need the series of vaccines, and I strongly recommend nothing more than modified live virus, parvo and distemper.  Wait on the rabies for at least a month.  Please have blood drawn to test for heartworm, and depending on your location you'll either want to start heartguard or something now or at least come spring.  *I'm* being snowed on again...but SOME parts of this country are warm and sunny....sigh.

Do you all feel like I did the wrong thing taking her from her pack?  The more I'm reading, the more I feel guilty that she's so scared and confused. 

I sure hope I did the right thing.  I have 3 daughters, 13, 10 and 4.  Should I worry about biting or anything?  She hasn't shown any signs of aggression or anything at this point but I guess I won't know that until she's comfortable? 

Also, should we stop physically carrying her outside to potty?  If so, how do you suggest we get her outside if she won't walk out on the leash?

Forgot to add that I have a couple of pictures I'd like to share of Maddie.  Here she is. 

Aww, she's cute! Don't worry, I think you did a wonderful thing taking her out of that situation. It was where she was comfortable, because it was all she had known, but not where she will be the happiest.
 
You've gotten some great advice here. I think it's really important to just take it slow. Realize that she's not going to come around immediately. Just show her love and affection, set some rules for her, and she will start to feel like she's home pretty soon.
 
I adopted Odin from a shelter about 8 months ago and I feel like he is still settling in to his new home. Every day he becomes more confident and realizes that this is forever. It's a great feeling knowing that you've rescued a dog and that you can give them a good life. Congrats on the new kid! []

I don't think it's a wrong thing. Tho she might have been comfortable with her pack...even puppies from reputable breeders leave their homes. It's part of being a dog...more less. It sounds like where she was...wasn't the best place with not the most interest on the owners part in providing a stimulating and nurturing environment.
 
I just don't think it's good to go into something not knowing ALL possible outcomes...and I think it's super you're here asking questions. Support goes a long way in helping you thru the more difficult times of dog ownership.
 
6-7 months old is often a time when people with puppies that came to them as 8-10 week olds etc have issues. It's a dogs "teenage time" and it comes complete with new and interesting problems and behaviors...lol! Formerly obedient and angelic pups become stubborn selectively hearing "boogers" hehe! You will have that to deal with...as another poster said...it's early days yet.
 
Older pups/dogs rehomed thru shelters etc often have a "honeymoon period" of 2-3 weeks where they either do no wrong or seem subduded. Then the REAL dog comes out and you can see some things. Not bad...often manageable, but you know...surprising []
 
So as I said you have a challenge ahead [] 
 
Personally I would limit my kids interactions with her until SHE seems to welcome it and look forward to it. Avoid them doing things like hugging or leaning over the dog, squealing or screaming in happiness, constant touching, chasing or following, etc..things that might make her anxiety worse. Make their interactions brief and positive...like quiet sitting and reading a book to her....offering a small tidbit....working up to feeding and providing water.
 
The food...do you know if she was fed en mass with the others or did he have seperate bowls? Oftentimes dogs from pack situations will have some food guarding behaviors because unless they defended it, another dog would take it. Conversely you can get submissive dogs that are AFRAID to eat in the open or have food anxiety such that they take a kibble, run off and eat it then scuttle back for another. This can be allieviated by a crate and feeding them there. If there IS food or possesion guarding again...behaviorist is extremely important to get a game plan to work thru that.
 
She also is of the age where they come into season in many cases ...so be aware of that and take steps to prevent escapes or leaving her alone should she come into season. Like Glenda said the vet can set a spay appt after doing the once over and vacc's. If she was no fixed and running with a pack that included unaltered male dogs be aware she could already even be pregnant...make sure to mention her living conditions to the vet for this reason.
 
Lots to process...we're all here to help you tho []

I'm still not sure how to get her to go outside for walks/potty without picking her up and physically moving her.  Am I supposed to just let her potty on the bathroom floor?  Won't this enforce a bad habit right away?

I don't see what's wrong with picking her up. She can learn how to walk on a leash at other times than when she's about to piddle on your floor. It is key to not allow bad habits to begin because they are a lot harder to break once they're established. I'd say that getting her to do her business outside is more important right now than getting her to walk on a leash.

Gina, thank you for filling in for the frozen brain cells re: the spay.