I don't know if this is true with Yorkies, but with other dogs and cats, I tried to go about my business normally. Animals are so good at picking up emotions from their humans, I found that if I made a fuss comforting them, they would learn that there was something to fear and it would escalate their behavior.
That only applied if they did fearful hiding behavior. If they came to me for comfort, they could always sit in my lap and get all kinds of attention. But it would be the same kind of attention they got whenever they came wanting attention... if that makes sense.
I haven't yet encountered fearful behavior in Tallulah -- except shyness of strangers. So far, in circumstances where my past dogs would have tried to hide, Tallulah has been a little assertive and barked. Actually kind of cute, but I'm working on thanking her for warning me and getting her to stop before it gets out of control.
I haven't had a chance to see how she reacts to thunder or other really loud noises yet... |