A very anxious 2 year old (female)

[LoJo]

I have a 2.5 pound female yorkie that is scared of everything. She doesn't play, she doesn't interact with us, she never barks and appears to be always afraid. She won't go in the house down the hallways, she'll only stay in my living room/kitchen because it's one large room. She drags her bed with her everywhere. Ive tried to get her to play with me but I just can't and I don't know what to do. Has anybody else ever experienced a Yorkie with this behavior?

[Wylie's Mom]

Did you just get her at age 2? If so, what's her history?

You could try a pheromone collar or something similar, a thundershirt, some calming balms, medications for anxiety (I would, for sure).

I feel so bad for this poor kiddo . I hope you find something to bring her out of herself...

[mybellababy]

Did you just get her if so it will take some time to come around if she has been like this for two years I would see a Vet about it maybe there is some thing they can give her to help her. Hope things get better soon for this poor baby.

[LoJo]

No we didn't just get her. She was about 11 months and had been somewhere else first. We have no idea what happened previously but the breeder called us after she went and got the dog when she found out she was going to a puppy mill.
I have her on composure and have talked to the vet. I just was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions to love her back to some sort of normal. Thanks for the replies!

[Shicks]

How long has this been going on? If her behavior has quickly changed I would diffentley see a vet and demand this is not her normal.
Poor little baby. I can just see her pulling her bed, (safe place) around that huge room.
Will pray for her & you.

[Jkpal]

Love and patience, lots of patience. You might try carrying in your arms as you walk slowly around the house and softly tell her what she's seeing and be sure to ask her questions..."Now this is bedroom. I don't know if I like that comforter. Do you like the color?" It sounds silly, but seemed to help Piper relax; I just held her; walked slowly, and spoke softly and continuously for several minutes then returned to living room and left her to her own devices. The combination of movement and conversation seemed to intrigue and calm Piper. You're with her, but (pretending) to be focused on other stuff, all ho-hum and not all about her ('cept it is!).

[Maximo]

I agree with the talking to her, with no pressure on her to do anything. We talk to our doggies throughout the day, telling them what we are doing, or just saying sweet nothings. I believe it is calming and helps in general training. It's amazing how many words they learn that become cues.

What kind of toys have you tried? Max doesn't like balls, so we stick to mostly soft toys. Teddy isn't really big on playing. He usually just sits with us, while I pet him. He just wants to go in the car, go places, and go walking.

Does your little girl like car rides? Does she like going places? It's fine if she would prefer to be carried. Then maybe she can slowly work up to being on the ground a little at a time.

[Lilah Charm]

Good above suggestions, if she loves her meal time or specific treats you could take turns feeding/treating her in different rooms- kind of like feeding a dog who is kennel training in the kennel to associate her experience with something positive. Something I read in a midwifery book when I was pregnant with my first baby said to hold your baby firm and comfortably, not gingerly, so that they felt secure and confident. She is a very tiny lady and there are a lot of scary things out there- a sling might be a good option so she can experience all these things in the security of your embrace. Good luck with this little gal.

[gracielove]

Although her symptoms could be genetic these symptoms can also be suffered by animals that have not had proper human interaction and socialization when they were young babies.
Puppies and kittens need no be gently held several times a day by loving human hands from day one. When this does not happen the brain develops much as a feral animal's would. Many times these pups or kittens are also thrust out of the social order of the litter at far too young of an age. All of these circumstances make for a very insecure, fearful pet that has no ability to interact with humans on its own.
As others have said being very patient, loving, and understanding is of utmost importance. Deal with this little one as though you were trying to tame an abused animal because in her mind that is exactly what she is. Gently hold her for a few minutes several times a day even though she may resist. If she does resist you may have to start out doing this for only about 2 minutes at a time. Try speaking in low comforting tones and giving her treats that she cannot resist.
These bonding sessions may go on for a few weeks before you see any improvement. Keep her calm and away from situations that may cause her to be fearful such as loud children or fast movements. She needs as much calm and secure interaction with you as possible in order to obtain that security she needs to be able to interact with humans as a dog should.
I hope your little one responds well for you. Living in fear is terrible for any living creature.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Although her symptoms could be genetic these symptoms can also be suffered by animals that have not had proper human interaction and socialization when they were young babies.
Puppies and kittens need no be gently held several times a day by loving human hands from day one. When this does not happen the brain develops much as a feral animal's would. Many times these pups or kittens are also thrust out of the social order of the litter at far too young of an age. All of these circumstances make for a very insecure, fearful pet that has no ability to interact with humans on its own.
As others have said being very patient, loving, and understanding is of utmost importance. Deal with this little one as though you were trying to tame an abused animal because in her mind that is exactly what she is. Gently hold her for a few minutes several times a day even though she may resist. If she does resist you may have to start out doing this for only about 2 minutes at a time. Try speaking in low comforting tones and giving her treats that she cannot resist.
These bonding sessions may go on for a few weeks before you see any improvement. Keep her calm and away from situations that may cause her to be fearful such as loud children or fast movements. She needs as much calm and secure interaction with you as possible in order to obtain that security she needs to be able to interact with humans as a dog should.
I hope your little one responds well for you. Living in fear is terrible for any living creature.

I agree.

Save

[buddybear]

Poor baby and poor you..
Great suggestions listed above. I hop you post her progress.

[LoJo]

I will. Thank you

[canana]

aww...poor girl. I can just imagine her staying in the one room dragging her bed around. What happens if you carry her into your bedroom at night to sleep? Does she only stay in the living room, even at night? Is she afraid of you (i.e. will she let you touch her)?

I also sweet talk my furbabies especially at times when it looks like they need comforting. But even when they don't, I talk to them all the time. They can't respond, but we're communicating - they talk to me with their eyes

As with everyone else, I think time, patience, and love is all you can offer right now.

[LoJo]

She isn't afraid of us but I have to be very careful when my grandchildren are here as they think she is a toy, even though they are 13, 11 and 9. I won't even let them hold her right now until they understand that they need to be very gentle. she isn't afraid of us but she does nestle in pretty tightly against us when we hold her. The other thing about her is she loves being outside and will run cute little circles around the yard but we live by a lake and have Hawks, Eagles and owls. She is never outside without us!! I don't understand the personality outside versus inside?? Do you think she may associate inside with something that may have happened before we got her at 11 months?

[canana]

Originally Posted by LoJo

She isn't afraid of us but I have to be very careful when my grandchildren are here as they think she is a toy, even though they are 13, 11 and 9. I won't even let them hold her right now until they understand that they need to be very gentle. she isn't afraid of us but she does nestle in pretty tightly against us when we hold her. The other thing about her is she loves being outside and will run cute little circles around the yard but we live by a lake and have Hawks, Eagles and owls. She is never outside without us!! I don't understand the personality outside versus inside?? Do you think she may associate inside with something that may have happened before we got her at 11 months?

That's a good sign! I'd say that her nestling tightly against you means she trusts you. To me the circle-running is some pent up energy being released. Do you take her out for daily walks? Almost all dogs love to run around when they're outside. It's the animal in them. Good call to never let her out without you there. I've read some horror stories of members here who have watched big birds pick up their Yorkies and drop them from the sky!!! If there are Hawks, Eagles, Owls, you might want to keep yours on a leash if she's outside. Sounds quite risky otherwise.

Can't say for sure about the outside vs inside. But, if she's happily running around outside, she sounds healthy. Take her for daily walks a few times a day (if you don't already) and just keep up with talking to her at home and giving her yummy treats in the other parts of the house.

Or...you could try tethering her to you so that she's with you everywhere you go in the house. That might help to make her feel safe, since it seems like she is comfortable with you (vs scared of you).