First of all congratulations on becoming a yorkie owner!! It is a very rewarding and unique experience and once you have a yorkie you are hooked!!
Absolutely she can regain her yorkieness. I've worked with a few shy yorkies myself. It just takes a lot of love, time and patience.
First start with her getting use to you. Talk to her in quiet friendly voice telling her what a good girl she is. You can start using treats as well to help. Give her a and gently praise plus a treat when she lets you pet her. Throw some treats in her basket. When she takes a step out of it gently praise and reward. Keep this up for awhile consistently and before long she will start to come to you. Basically every step she makes towards coming out of her shyness you praise and reward.
After you have gotten her use to you and your family then you start socializing her with others. Take it slow, you don't want to overwhelm her. Make sure every socialization is positive and again praise and reward. She will then learn that people equals good things.
Don't stress on the training bit or walking her on a leash until she gets comfortable with her surroundings and her new family.
Once she is comfortable then you can start training her walking on a leash.
Remember to only use a harness.
Start off with putting the harness on her for periods of time each day but don't leave it on all day.
Then when she is comfortable with that put a leash on her for short periods of time a day. Just let it drag at first. Then after awhile you can start picking up the leash and staying in one spot. Get her to come to you. Praise and reward. Step a few feet back, and repeat. Keep increasing the distance and give a little tug so she can get use to the feeling. Now standing by her side put a treat in front of her. When she goes to get it walk with her and praise her. Before long she will be walking on a leash. You just have to do it in baby steps and make it a positive experience for her. |