[Nancy1999]

You say Ivy’s first owners returned her to the breeder, I'm wondering if she had been returned, because they couldn't pee pad train her as fast as they thought they should be able to? Some people don’t bother reading about housebreaking and just think they can “tell” the dog what to do, and when the dog doesn’t understand, they punish. I use to think this cowering behavior always meant a dog had been abused, but I don’t think this anymore. I shook a can of pennies to stop barking and my son’s dog acted like he was scared to death, it didn’t faze Joey, so it really depends on the dog. It probably would help if you would try and build her confidence. I do trick- training with Joey, and I think that makes him feel special. I'm glad Ivy Lou is in a great home now!