Don't know if this dog is a stray or not

What an adorable pup... she is lucky you found her!
 
You deserve a big pat on the back for this one! [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif]

Well all is not sunshine and roses yet. We did an intro tonight. It became too difficult to get everyone in and out to potty without them seeing eachother, and the shelties knew she was here and were becoming increasingly stressed and barky, which was making her bark. I put each of them in an x-pen with the x-pens a few feet away from eachother. It didn't go that well. She growled and barked and was snarly with the shelties. Later she figured out how to jump the x-pen, so I crated the boys and let her walk around a bit. She approached Frosty's crate and didn't growl, so maybe she felt trapped in the pen, I don't know. I hope I didn't mess things up. I had planned to tether her to me for potty training, but if I can't have the dogs out at the same time this won't work. I was upset that they weren't instant friends. I don't know what I expected. DH thinks it will just take some time since she is in an entirely new and confusing situation. I know a rescue would never adopt a fearful untrained dog out to a family like mine, with two kids, two dogs and two cats, but the situation is what it is and unfortunately there is no waiting list of quiet, single dog homes for this girl. She is great with the kids and oddly with the cats, so maybe the dogs were just overwhelming and she will come around.

She is crated right now and has been crying non stop for 20 minutes. I never had this problem with the boys, but I hear it is not unusual. I also have to figure a way to get her out to potty until she gets used to the leash.

Edit: She appears to have stopped after 33 minutes.....arg, nevermind. There she goes again.

Crate training:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/spt/SPT_Crate_Training_Info.htm
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/crate.htm

She is doing well today. She saw the shelties this morning, and DH and I did another intro on loose leads. She basically ignored them and was more interested in her surroundings, and the boys didn't bark. The shelties are off being neutered this morning so it is quiet right now.

Penny has been dragging a lead in the house and she is fine with me holding the other end of it now. We walked outside in the yard where the other dogs potty, but she still hasn't gone outside. I keep catching her sniffing or starting to squat and I rush her outside and happily say "Lets go potty". She has to go out there eventually. She is very praise motivated, so I think if I can just get her to go outside and praise her, she'll train quickly.

We are working on the crate. I am feeding all the dogs in their crates now. She at least doesn't potty in there. Unfortunately she has no idea what toys are and has no interest in kongs or buster cubes or any of the things the boys enjoy in their crates. I am off to petsmart to buy a few things - stinkier treats and an extra tall x-pen.
 
Thanks for the links and the help everyone. []

Well, I am going to sound like a recorded message LOL but, you were so nice taking her in. I read everything and when you posted. Every time I saw a picture I would say awww what a baby! Which is normally, what my mom and I say about any cute dog or any dog that seems to be " loved and babied" by its family. Please keep us updated okay?

From everything you've posted about Penny, it's just a guess, but once she settles in, learns the routine and more importantly sees the boys playing with their toys, Miss Penny might do the same.  Everything might be too new right now. 
 
Hope things progress as well as they have so far. [][sm=bravo.gif] to you and DH for your patience and willingness to go the extra mile for Penny.

She looks great!  Congrats on the new addition.  Don't worry; eventually, everyone will get along.

She did play with a toy tonight, a spider with rope legs. She shook it and "killed" it. I also found something she likes in the kong (natural balance roll) and she ate it in her crate. We had two successful potties outside, however submissive urination seems to be an issue for her. Not really surprised. I'm going to read up on it. All in all though she is starting to act like a dog. A naughty little dog. []

Links on dealing with submissive urination:
http://terrier.com/advice/submissive.php3
http://la-spca.org/education/dogs/submissive_ur.htm
http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/submissive%20urination.htm
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/suburine.html

I read over the links on submissive urination. Sounds like something we can definitely get a handle on. The two instances yesterday were when the kids came home from school and last night when they came home from their dads. I think they are rushing up to her and freaking her out, so we'll keep everything low key for a while.
 
She is proving to be very smart. She appears to be somewhat housetrained and has pottied on command every time I've taken her out yesterday and today. I also taught her to sit last night in less than five minutes. This makes me think she may have had some training before, but I just can't imagine how she ended up living the way she was. Dumped I guess. 
 
She seemed alright when the shelties came in from the vet today, but they can't play yet as the boys are on restricted activity. Sooo....she is officially staying, and this is all the pets I will be having for a looong time. After all those months of applications and rejections and obsessing over a rescue sheltie, I declined Lyric today in writing. She is in a good foster home and is highly adoptable, so that was an easy decision. The timing on Penny was so good. I had already bought stuff for a girl dog, and she fits perfectly in the extra crate I had. And DH, who was being such a breed snob when I suggested a shelter dog, got mad at me last night when I said Penny was a mystery mutt. He has made up the name Georgia Mountain Terrier. She's a rare designer breed, dontcha know. [8D]

Yay for your family and yay for Penny!!!! []

I believe that things happen for a reason.  And your Penny may have very well been the reason for all of the difficulty you experienced with the rescues.  []

You are doing such a tremendous job with Penny  - I can't even express how happy I am.    
 
Yes, there really IS a Santa Claus ... you and NC_Cockermama come to mind  []

She's a cutie thanks for saving her life  Katy

You are absolutely wonderful, Stacey. I am so happy that all the pieces fell in place for you and Penny. You have gained such a cute little addition and she has gained her life. Thank you for all the work that you are ready to put into this little girl whose life will be so happy thanks to you. Hats off to you, your husband and the boys.
 
PS : Sending good vibes for a speedy, eventless and painfree recovery for Ripley and Frosty after the neuterings.