Shy yorkies

[gerry]

I bought my Abby when she was 16 weeks old, I have had her for 9 weeks and she still acts like she's afraid of everyone, even me at times. I don't know if she was abused, or just never taken up any time with. I hold her alot and she sleeps with me at night, but she still acts afraid. She won't come to me when I call her. I have to go and pick her up and she runs from me. This is my first yorkie, do they all act this way?

[LilMissy]

Where did you get her from?

I bought my pug dog from a pet store. She's also always been afraid of everyone and everything. She's 7.5 yrs old now, and nothing's changed. I think it's from spending her first few weeks of life in a puppymill.

I guess dogs all have different personalities just like people do.

[mk97]

Not all act that way, but puppies are like kids--each has their own personality. I would try to socialize her as much as possible, maybe use treats to encourage her to come, it will take time-but hopefully she will come out of her shell. My boss(a vet) raises yorkies and she bring the pups into work every day--so we(the staff) clean up after them and help with socialization. We treat them all the same--but will still have the shy pup that hangs back. I personally try to give the shy ones extra attention with the hope that when they go to their forever home they won't be as shy.

[gerry]

I bought her from a breeder. She said she worked and went to school and didnt have the time to take up with her. I'm afraid she might not grow out of it. She's so afraid of people, when anyone comes over she hides.

[gerry]

The only time she will come to me is when I offer her a treat. Other than that she runs when I try to pick her up.

[LilMissy]

Awwww, I guess that's just her little personality then. It sounds like my 4 yr old son.

[Ladymom]

It sounds like she didn't get enough human contact and handling in those early weeks.

The 'most' critical socialization period starts long before the pup leaves the litter: 3 weeks to 12 weeks - so socialization needs to start with the breeder and continue from there..... Beyond 16 weeks you've missed laying the groundwork for your puppy's social life.

Socialization

[RKN]

When I first got Bruiser he was the same way too. He is 6 months now and he doesn't shy away from people at all. Once he got a little older he seemed to get braver. If he is in a new situation though he still tends to shake or hide in my arms. As for never coming to you, I think that is there way of playing. It's like c'mon chase me!

[Sapphire]

Angel was 4 years old and Prince was 5 when I got them. They lady I got them from never took them anywhere. The only people they ever saw were the few people who visited her.

They were both pretty shy, but Angel was extremely shy. The first obedience class we took, she spent the whole class hiding under my chair. She was afraid of everyone who tried to pet her. If we went to anyone's house she wanted me to hold her the whole time.

We spent a lot of time walking around pet stores and our neighborhood. I let anyone we met pet her. I've had her for three years now. She thinks everyone needs to stop what they're doing and pay attention to her. She goes up to people and tries to get them to pick her up. She has become quite the social butterfly now Hard to believe she's the same shy little girl from three years ago.

[mypreciouspups]

spend lots of time with her.. loving her up... kissing her even if she does not want this at first.. teach her how to lay in your arms on her back.. she will nto like this at first.. but take your time and praise her and love her and most of all have patience...I have babies that were born dec 11th and I can hardly wait till thursday when they will be three weeks old.. for to me the good begins.. and I love to play with them.. and watch them play.. and let them play with my other dogs once old enough... first off they are in an xpen but I am always loving them up..so just keep working on her.. she is young.. I had taken in rescues that come around.. good luck.. anne

[Ice Lady]

No, not all Yorkies are this way. My little Baby Sweet Pea has always been an "in your face" little Diva! I got her at 10 wks and she is my Wild Child, very self willed and inquisitive. On the other side of the coin, my little boy, Nicholas Duke of York, is a rescue. I have had him exactly one year on Christmas Day. He was 3.5 yrs old and had been starved, abused and maimed. He was afraid of everyone and everything. With presistance and love he is very secure now and starting to show his little personality and Yorkie 'Tude. He still is shy of strangers and even hides on occassion.

All Yorkies are different, just like people. I truly believe with presistance and love you will win your wee one over and she will become totally devoted to you. You have recieved some wonderful advice from the other members. Just hang in there!

[QuickSilver]

You'll probably need to train your dog to come to you when called. Treats work wonders for this! As another poster mentioned, a dog may run away simply because it's fun to be chased.

I think if your honey can sleep with you, that shows that she can completely relax around you. I agree that with gentle persistence and affection, you can teach her greater confidence.

[Brookef18]

My Female Sadie was extremely shy when she first came home, she warmed up to us but it took her along time to warm up to other people. She is getting much better at one year old but it still takes her time to decide to trust some one.
She came from a great breeder and was around people from the start. My breeder hires a staff to come in and care for the pups when she is working so they are not left alone!

Give your puppy time!

[JoeyP]

Since she's so young it's unlikely she is associating any abuse she's had
Some dogs are more skiddish than others
and see friendly people coming at them to pet them as threats
Think of it thru their eyes ... these big hulking monsters with these big hands
Love her and treat her whenever she comes to you
as for strangers ....
have people socialize with her as much as possible
have them touch her and love her ... the more she associates good things with people the less she will be afraid of them
Alos skiddish dogs are usually afraid of new surroundings too so bring her out with you as much as possible to experience new things and smells

[chachi]

My Jewels is very shy and I know nothing bad has ever happened to her because we have had her since she was 8 weeks old. I think different yorkies just have different personalities