I've only started one post on this forum so far, asking for help with my recently rescued Pobbles. I've done lots of reading and practicing since then, knowing that adopted adult dogs are sooo completely different than starting from a puppy! I am happy to say that we have made progress, and I wanted to share with you all, people I know have been down our road and then some. Thank you for your guidance and support, even when it was unknowingly given.
When we got Pobbles, he was good with all of our family, our 3 yr old bichon, Buster, but was not so happy with the 2 cats. I think the cats were partly to blame there... well, at least one of them... my little trouble-maker, Sammy. He stared at Pobbles a lot that first day when Pobbles was leashed to me, and I think it unnerved him a bit. The cats are now segregated until they can be safely co-mingled, which I do have high hopes for, since Pobbles now almost completely ignores the rabbit. We're taking the cat mingling really slow for now...
Okay, now for our success!!!
From meal one, I had Pobbles sit and wait for his meals, just like Buster does. The first couple were shaky, to say the least, which is well expected from a shelter dog. After a few times we discovered that he had an easier time if he was laying down to wait, so for the next couple of weeks I had him lay down on his "spot" while I prepared their meals and set them down. He was a very fast learner, and is now amazingly patient while waiting for his food! Don't get me wrong here, he still watches me veeeery carefully to make sure I don't drop a single bite. lol 
Well, tonight's dinner was a little late... as I walked into the kitchen to start getting their bowls ready, Pobbles and Buster went to their spots without being told! I was so proud! 
The first few days we thought it was soooo important to get this big dog his proper exercise, so we walked him... no, he walked us... twice daily until my hand was sore from leash burns and we were all frustrated. After consulting with the people here, I have stopped walking him. Instead, now I am loose-leash training him in our big front yard. He is doing really well with that, even when there are chickens or a turkey walking or making noises nearby. Today we had our best day ever, having made it out of the yard, down the driveway and up and down the road a bit in both directions! I decided to stop while he was doing well and called it a day then.
He is also doing much better about meeting people. That is, of course, a work in progress, but I am happy to see him not lose control and I am able to get his attention. He is still not in love with men, but I think lots of good interaction with my husband and two teenage sons will help him there, we'll work more on that later, as he's more confident and comfortable. He is happy to meet the girls, such a ladies' man! If my sisters or nieces come while he's in the house, I put him in my bedroom behind the tall gate. I have the girls come in calmly and stay by the door, and when Pobbles is sitting calmly (which is much quicker now- almost immediate) they can come to the gate for a hello. Then they back up while I have him "wait" while I open the gate. He waits for the release "okay" and then goes to say hello with a wiggly butt and a wagging tail! I originally had him wait on his "spot", but I think behind the gate in the next room makes him feel safer and helps me to keep the door clamor to a minimum.
Next up, he's due for a nail trim.
I started a couple of days ago with bringing home new (bigger) clippers for him and treating him for looking/sniffing/touching. I was able to touch them to his paw & nails as long as a treat was involved, but that's a far cry from trimming. I don't want to back track any progress made by forcing him, so it's off to the boards for some more advice. Pobbles with my son, Zach
Pobbles watching Scooby-Doo with two of my daughters & Buster
Good luck with the nail clippers!
I knew if we did it in a positive way to begin with it would make future trimmings easier, and there's just no forcing a dog his size to do anything he doesn't want to do. (well, not for me anyways!) My husband moaned and groaned a bit over the amount of dog slobber coating his hand 
but he'll get over it. Hopefully after a few more times with his help I can do Pobbles nails on my own. 
I wouldn't try normally but his nails are pretty long...
