Hi! We adopted a 7 year old male Yorkie from Yorkie Rescue 2 weeks ago.. He was abused and is doing wonderfully with me and our other Yorkie however, he is scared to death of my husband and any males... I was told he was abused by a man so that explains it but how can we overcome this? My husband loves dogs and really feels bad that Charlie is so scared... it is really weird because if I am holding him he will let my husband pet him and give him treats. If I am sitting next to my husband Charlie will jump up and let him pet him then.. but if I am not in the room or every time my husband comes in the house - as soon as he comes in the door Charlie goes nuts and acts like he is a serial killer! When he does let my husband pet him it is like he cannot get enough attention and he will keep pawing his hand to make him keep petting him.. so why does he only act like this in certain situations.. and oh yeah if my husband does pick him up - Charlie is very still and lets him pet him (he is stiff as a board though) and when my husband goes to put him down Charlie immediately growls and spins around to face him - could someone have really hurt him or something? we tried this a few different times and each time as he is putting him back down Charlie does this -spins around growls and faces him.
He is not a mean dog because he lets me brush him, give him baths, put sweaters on him, etc... without a fuss.
also, how can I teach him to poop in the yard and not on my patio and sidewalk? is there something to entice them to go in a certain area?
I hope someone can help me! Our other yorkie we got as a pup and of course he is the most loveable little rag doll - never stiff and very trusting..
