[Cirlonde]

Originally Posted by AddieandMiaMom

Have you had your brother and SIL walk in the door with treats (a special one she only gets from them and/or strangers, never from you) or a toy she likes? Then they can give them to her. She will eventually warm up to them. We had to do this type of training with Mia as she was so terrified of people, when one of my friends picked her up (after I told him to leave her alone), she pooped all over him and the floor. I was so mad, I told him he deserved it. He didn't argue.

Oh that's hilarious!! Poor guy, but you're right...Yorkie defense mechanism I guess!

As to the treat/toy thing, I've tried it with a treat thinking that since Chloe is highly food motivated, that would work. But nope!! She couldn't have cared less. I've finally given up trying to force her into their company and she's slowly coming around to my SIL. My brother has a young chocolate lab that Chloe is scared of and I think she must smell the dog on them or something. Though I keep telling my brother it's b/c she can sniff out evil. He and I have a huge dollop of sibling rivalry!

Smelling the dog on them would make sense, except she behaved this same way the first (and only) time she met my husband's grandparents. She didn't want anything to do with them at all!! I think it's just going to be a time-heals-all-wounds sorta thing. It took her over two days of near constant interaction with a couple of twin five-year-old girls that my mom babysits before she'd play with them. But once she did get used to them, she didn't want to leave.

But I wanted a "one (wo)man" dog and I guess that's what I got! I shouldn't be complaining, lol.
-C