shy guy...please help

[shynewyorkie]

Dear Fellow Yorkie Owners,

Hi guys, I just got my first yorkie, Sir Theodore, two weeks ago and I love him to death. He's five months old, since he was returned to the breeder for not having a "puppy personality," so is already very alert and rather set in his ways.

Anyway, here's my problem (though I'm not sure if I'd call it that just yet):
Sir Theo really doesn't have a puppy personality, in fact, he doesn't act like a dog at all. While this is wonderful most of the time (since he doesn't bark or wine or chew or ask for attention, or have any potty training issues..yes!), I am still a little worried about how in the world I am supposed to connect with him. He will sit in my lap if I pick him up, and he will sometimes follow me if I walk away from him and call (if outside), but he shows no interest if I call for him while in the house or try to lure him out of his bed. Nothing works! Not food, not toys, not an overly-excited little voice...and, frankly, I'm out of ideas. He doesn't even attempt to express any of his needs to me; if I wasn't taking him outside every other hour, I hate to think what would happen to his little bladder (or my floor )!
I grew up with a yappy, eager, little silky terrier so I thought that I would do well with the breed--but Sir Theodore is completely different. Do any of you have quiet or unimpressed Yorkies? He's such an amazing find, and such a good match for me and my laid-back family, but I want him to respond and want to come when I call him. I want him to feel wanted.
Please help me to connect with my dog!
shynewyorkie's owner

[livingdustmops]

Please just have patience with your little one. He is only 5 months old and he is already on his 3rd home. It is going to take some time before he realizes you aren't going to dump him. These little critters are very sensitive and with love and affection he will eventually bond with you but 2 weeks is just not enough time. There is no telling what happened at the home that bought him from the breeder and I have never heard that excuse before "returned because he didn't act like a puppy". In rescue we always call this the honeymoon phase (they usually act very good) and eventually their own personalities will start coming out. At 5 months he is not set in his way but I am sure he is not very trusting of people. For all you know when he was called by the other people it was to have his nose pushed in his accidents. When a new rescue comes in I always have treats in my pocket and reward them for just about anything. When I give them the treat I use the word, cookie so they learn when I say the word cookie to come running. Just enjoy and love him and give him all the special attention you can and hopefully one day you will write, "Help me My Dude is a Holy Terror"

[browniesmom622]

brownie was a loner too he sometimes follows me around but i think hes more attached to my other dogs some dogs are more by them selves he will warm up to you youve only had him a very short time

[Junebug]

The way you described Sir Theo is identical to how Otis behaved when I first got him.

He didn't like to play with toys, he stood there and stared at me for hours, never chewed, never had any accidents, never cried.

Otis is now 6, and he's the perfect gentleman. I can take him anywhere and he doesn't annoy anyone (as far as I know), doens't jump, doesn't have accidents, doesn't yap. In fact, I wouldn't want him any other way. He's extremely low-maintenance and doesn't get into things.

Just be grateful that Sir Theo does not have the typical small-dog complex, which many people are turned off to. Personally, I'd rather have a dog that's calm and well-behaved than one who is overly curious and gets into things.

Congrats on the new puppy, and appreciate him for what he is! They don't make 'em that way very often!

[Junebug]

Also, I might add that over time, Otis has become extremely attached to me. Don't worry....Little Theo will come to love you. Just continue to give him praises and kisses, and he'll realize you two were meant to be together.

[Patti]

I had a Yorkie Zorro who was much like you describe. At about 7 months of age he all of a sudden became so attached to me. It was almost overnight he just bonded with me even though I had had him since he was 8 weeks old. Zorro would not let any one pick him up but me and when I was so sick with morning sickness with my dtr he spent 36 hours on the bathroom floor with me. So give him time he will come around.

[SnowWa]

I like cooking up chicken and cutting it up in small pieces for my dogs. (I even have several baggies in the freezer). They like this much more than cookies or "doggie treats" and it's better for them. My dogs will do "almost anything for "chicken" and have always turned up their noses at doggie treats (they either get full of them or tired of them). I just think this might be a better "motivator" for you with your pup.

With that being said -- it is a fact that some dog's basic temperment is to be somewhat shy/fearful. My little Bichon is this way - and this is definitely not the way that Bichon's usually behave. Even my vet said - they are usually much more outgoing - but everyonce in a while you run into a "fearful/somewhat shy one."

Regardless of his being shy, he is a wonderful pet. And over the years (he is four), he has become more and more outgoing --especially with people and other animals that he has come to know well. I think having another dog has always been the very best thing for him. My little Yorkie pup drives him crazy, but they also play a lot. He especially loves to run with other dogs and children.

He has become very fond of many of my neighbors and will readily run into their houses for treats. He likes children. He doesn't bark much, has never bitten anyone in his life, doesn't have a mean bone in his body, and I heard him growl for the first time in his life when he was three years old.

He loves to sleep with me (this is the one time and place he is especially lets me know he wants to be with me).

I think your dog's basic temperment (like mine) is being somewhat shy. And - with a lot of love, talk, holding him, being kind to him, and being gentle to him, he'll become more outgoing and more affectionate. Continue to be playful with him - even if he doesn't play back. I think with a pup like this - the quieter you become - the quieter he'll become also. Keep him interested and knowing that "life is fun" as much as possible.

A dog's being shy has advantages also. My dog is certainly the best behaved thing in the world -- very good in public.

You just love your little pup, hold him a lot, play with him (even if he doesn't play back for a while - eventually you'll find something he enjoys doing) and keep him happy, healthy, well fed, and secure. I'm sure you'll see some improvement in time. Be sure and try and let him play with children and other dogs outside - this is the one thing my dog does love to do. He can run and keep out of their reach --he especially enjoys this!!!

Good luck! Carol Jean

[JeanieK]

Hi
I just wanted to welcome tou to YT. I think your little guy will come around once he figures out that you're not going away. Just give him lots of loving, petting and massaging. Before long he'll be under your feet all the time.

[GurleyGirl]

Hi and welcome to YT! My Mickey (he's my first yorkie.... I got him 6 years ago)... was exactly like your Sir Theodore. I had told my husband that Mickey was a really expensive hamster... (he did nothing... never cried... never chewed on anything... etc... ). He is just a really laid back kinda guy...
I thought all my future yorkies would be like him... My next yorkie Rocky was the complete opposite of Mickey.... cried and yelped all the time... He's since outgrown that.. .(he is 4 years old now).

Each little furbaby has their own personality... and I know you feel like your Theo should be a little more active... just give him time... you will accept him whatever his personality ends up being...

[megan_kat22]

I agree with what everyone else has said. I'm sure he will warm up, and livingdustmops had great suggestions! Good luck with Theodore and keep us updated!! Welcome to YT!!!

[puppylove123]

i really dont have any advice, but everyone's suggestions are great! you two just need to bond a little, in no time Theo is gonna be crawlin all over you.
on your new furbaby and to yt! im sure you will learn a lot here!

[Jaspermom]

I am guessing once Theo warms up, you may someday post "My Theo is SUCH a pest!! He follows me everywhere, whines when I leave the room, and is attached to me like VELCRO!"

I can't wait to read that! Welcome to YT!

[shynewyorkie]

Wow, many thanks to all of you who have lent so much feedback and support; I definitely feel reassured...and look forward to trying the chicken approach!
Sir Theodore is a special little guy.
That being said, since posting, I took some time to look over his papers (something that I feel silly for not doing sooner, but I was just too wrapped up in Theo..). After Livingdustmops' post, concerning the possibility that his earlier homes may have been rough, I looked up the address of the man who sold Theo to the lady who sold him to me, a man she called her "good friend" a "wonderful respected breeder"--and sure enough, the address (very messily scrawled, especially compared to the other things she had written) led to one of those massive Amish puppymills . It turns out that Theodore is from a particularly awful one, too--one with tons of citations, many dog deaths, and a farm fertilized by unsold/dead-dog compost (this last fact came out of the puppymiller's own mouth during a court hearing that I found the "minutes" to, online). After investigating further, I even managed to find a picture of the abominable living conditions that poor Theodore undeniably grew up in...

Now, while I'm thrilled to have an adorable and quiet yorkie, it breaks my heart to know that his "puppyhood" may have been robbed from him for the sake of his pricey hide. And while I never intended for this to be a thread about the commonly-begrudged puppymill problem, I would just like to remind us all, once again, how far-reaching the affects of animal abuse truly are...
I mean, the affects of abuse and greed are curled up quietly in my lap, right now. They're in my house. Theodore doesn't know how to be loved..

Anyway, I apologize for the lengthly speech--I'm pretty sad right now. I mean, just look at Sir Theodore's picture... those eyes.
Before today, puppymills only made me feel *uncomfortable*, but now I'm proud to say that I'm feeling something a little bit closer to enraged.
Though I probably would have bought Theo even if I had known about his past (sometimes a puppy is just right for you), I still took the clever words of a breeder that I didn't know, and still feel duped... Thank God he is, at least, healthy.
If this new news, as to his upbringing, changes any of your advice--or if you have any more suggestions in light of these new developments--please let me know.
I'm proud to be the one to love the abuse out of Theodore..
And, again, I apologize for the length.
Theo's Mom

[lilannie]

Welcome to YT......I got Bailey at 12 weeks, and he wasn't overly cuddly, or attatched to me....not like a lot of ppl that I had heard say that their furbabies were soo lovable and clingy. I was worried because I know alot of people get their babes soo much younger....(my breeder doesn't let pups go until 12 weeks).....but after a couple of weeks he became my little shadow and now he even gets excited over seeing his leash come out, I never thought the day would come. These little guys depend on us for so much , sometimes I think they just want to make sure that we love them and want them, and then then they are able to trust and love us back with as much heart as they can give.....Best of luck to you...

[livingdustmops]

OMG! You must have been sick as you pealed the layers back and found out where he came from. It is beyond me the cruelty humans can inflict on animals but hopefully they have closed this scumbag down.

Well extra hugs to Theo and he is finally in a warm and loving home. I question the second home he was in and if this woman was the breeders friend then I doubt she has a lot of compassion for animals either.

Even knowing all of this I would not change any advise I gave you. This little Dude will come around and just needs lots of reassurance from you.