newby with a ?

[Louiebug]

HI everyone, I was really happy to find this forum and have learned so much from reading old posts, but I haven't come across anything quite like my Louie. He is 6 months old and about 2.5-3lbs. I have only had him for 1 month, but I am worried about his behavior. He was given to me by a guy who couldn't/didn't want to take care of him anymore.(why, sure beats the heck out of me) I don't know much about his owner becuase the "adoption" was set up by a friend of mine. All I know is that the kennel he gave me with Louie was filthy from urine and feces and he had no toys. Needless to say, now he is spoiled rotten, and I am definitely hooked and Yorkies now! The thing that bothers me is that when I or anyone else tries to pet him he cowers and turns on his side, a lot of the time he will just roll over onto his back. I have and would never hit an animal, but could it be that his previous owner did? Is it just that he is small and intimidated? I don't want him to be scared when I or anyone else just want to love on him and give him some attention. I would really appreciate any advice on this. Thanks!
-Louie and Amanda

[txshopper73]

First of all, welcome! Could be that he has been abused in the past, contact livingdustmops with questions (she deals with rescue). Could be that he just hasn't had much human contact and doesn't know how much love can be offered to him. When they lay on their backs, it's a sign of submission.

Most of the time, they just need time to adjust to their new surroundings and then they'll come out of their shell.

[LuvtheCooper]

I agree with Kimberly, sounds like he was possibly abused in the past. How sad is that
With lots of love..sounds like he found the right home for that, hopefully he will get past that. It is also a good idea when new people come around him to have them pet him under his head..not to pat his head...have them put their hands under his mouth and nose to smell...
Bless his heart, I wish him and you all the best Pictures??

[LuvMySissy]

It does sound like he was abused in the past. A friend of mine had a rescued racetrack greyhound. Any time you would lift your hand around him, he would immediately cower. Hopefully with time and love, your little Louie will come around. Welcome to YT.

[peanut]

Welcome to YT! I think everyone is right about him being abused...I had a Golden that was loved from day one-no one every hit or even attempted to..He stayed outside during the day, and one day I was playing ball with him raised my hand to throw the ball and he hunker(sp) down...he has never done that before, long story short, my neighbor had been hitting him in the head to get his ball from him...needless to say my neighbor doesn't come near me now..(he is very afraid too/for go reason)..What I am trying to say is Hunter was never abuse at home but a couple of times someone hitting him made him start acting that way...

[Louiebug]

I can't imagine why someone would hit such a sweet little guy! Thanks for all the imput. I tried having people let Louie smell them first, but as soon has they start petting him, over on his back he goes. Hopefully with some time and a lot of love and patience he will not cower that way. Here are some pictures I took before we went outside today.

[LuvtheCooper]

oh what an absolute sweetheart

[Lou]

Abuse is a likely reason for his cowering but it isn't the reason ALL the time. My shih tzu cowers everytime I walk up to her. Why? She thinks I'm going to pick her up for grooming or bathing. Sigh. If I'm sitting down and reach for her of if I get down on the floor with her she is a happy little camper. Oh yes, she is extremly shy with other people and avoids being petted but she only cowers for me! I admit she is a puppy mill rescue but we got her when she was 6-weeks old and she is 8-years old now. She didn't appear to have any problems. Who knows??????

[Jaxon's mom]

Oh, Louie is such a cutie! On your question - there are times when Jaxon still doesn't like to get petted by strangers. I think he's always worried that he'll get picked up when he doesn't want to be. He prefers to give his little greeting and continue on. When we first got him, he would cower low to the ground with people and other dogs. I took him to puppy class to get him socialized and it definitely helped. Now he's a super friendly and well socialized little guy.

[YorkieRose]

Your boy is very blessed to have found you...I wish him a wonderful life...
He is acting very passive/submissive..don't enforce this behavior by reacting..ignore it and when he is sitting or playing, then praise him and talk positive to him.

I had a girl named Ivy who was born and raised by me..she never heard a harsh word or was abused..but she was very submissive to her litter sister..I could get her to melt into the carpet by saying.."pooooor, pooooor little Ivy..she changed so much when she had her first litter and got involved in her "career"...

[Louiebug]

Thanks a lot for all the feedback. I know it will take some time to work on his behavior, but I feel so bad. When it comes to him doing something wrong even a stern (but not loud) "NO!" will make him cower. I can't let him get away with ex:chewing on my favorite shoes.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Oh wow Louie is soooo handsome I am glad that you have given him a happy home Louie looks like my Georgie I think he must have been abused in the past and that is why he acts like that. Please post more pics he has such a sweet little face

Almost forgot to say welcome to YT!!!

[JeanieK]

Just his way of saying "Please don't hit me"

Try reaching for him with your palm face up and under his chin, not over his head.

With lots of love and patience, I think he will get over his past.

What a jerk his previous owner must havwe been.

He is so lucky to have a new home.

[kalina82]

hmmmmmmm what to do...

you can try not aproaching him from above. when you go and pet him try to get on his level more so that your not standing over him and then leaning with your whole body over him. Also do not look him in the eye, it might be scaring him into submission. try sitting on the floor and calling him over for some scratchies. don't look at him, pretend your watching tv or whatever. then when he gets over by you slide your hand across the floor slowly. let him sniff it or whatever, if he starts to cower move your hand slowy away and wait till he gets back up. then try again. just do this slowly until he doesn't cower. it might be a while before you can get a hand on him without cowering but it will be worth teh time.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by Louiebug

I can't imagine why someone would hit such a sweet little guy! Thanks for all the imput. I tried having people let Louie smell them first, but as soon has they start petting him, over on his back he goes. Hopefully with some time and a lot of love and patience he will not cower that way. Here are some pictures I took before we went outside today.

Welcome to YT and what a cutie! I would say, by the way his crate was, that he was probably abused...I mean look at that little face! How could you not love something like that! How could anyone hurt something that looked like that! Or....maybe he wants his belly rubbed...Sadie is more spoiled that my skin girls (that what they tell everyone lol ) and she will sometimes roll onto her back when she wants her belly rubbed. Also if another dog approaches her...I think this is a submissive (sp?) move.

I think it is great you adopted this little guy...I'm sure you will give him a good home..