[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by hotpinktrouble

… I'm about to lose my dang mind. Nozz and I still don't have the best relationship
I don't know what to do any more! I've ignored him, held him, and everything in between, but almost every day he does this, and I'm really losing my patience

…I've unfortunately had enough instances (see: any thread I've started) of Nozzle being completely petrified of me to pretty much nail it as fright
I've just been leaving food out for him, and he'll go pick at it for a few days, and after like 3 will eat the whole dang thing finally.
…I do that every so often since it's easy to "force feed" him that.
…submissive urination, cowering on the floor...
… I'm past the "oh poor cute shivery doggy" stage and I can't ignore the behavior forever...so I'm really curious if he's just a complete wuss or if there's a better way to deal with this...I know I sound heartless, apologies, I'm just really really nearing the end of my rope with the poor little guy

…Completely, utterly confused and basically giving up

…but halfway through it he wouldn't take treats anymore. I don't know how to reward him if he won't play and won't take treats...I'm completely at a loss and have basically just left him alone since our walk.

…I can't seem to make any progress...I try not to hover or come at him directly but that's dang near impossible...he's 4 lbs, not even 6" off the ground, and I'm 5'6"!!! I appreciate all the suggestions, but I don't know how to make him not scared of me and I think I'm selling him this weekend.

I picked out some of the comments you made in this thread that really gave me pause. I am getting that you are very frustrated and may be transferring that frustration to your dog. They are VERY INTUITIVE. You need to really like your dog and they need to feel that before they can be comfortable. It may not be actual fear so much as not being secure. You have to feel confident before they can have confidence and trust in you. Almost all of their emotion comes from you. Relax and fall for your little one and you may be pleasantly surprised. Start looking at all the positive things about your dog instead of the negative. I am not hearing anything positive about your dog ownership. What drew you to Yorkies to start with? How cute do you think he is? What is he like when he does play? Think of all those things that you do like about him and see if you can build on that. This is more in YOUR control than you think.