Congrats on your new yorkie! We also adopted a yorkie when she was 2 yrs old, although we got her from a shelter rather than a breeder. She was very friendly towards people, but scared of some new situations. For instance, she was TERRIFIED of being in the car and we couldn't get her to go in our basement.
I'm no expert on dogs, but from my personal experience, it is best not to coddle the dog when she is afraid. We've had Lucky for over a year now, and she has become a much more confident dog. She now loves the car and the basement, and has no fear entering unfamiliar homes. Although she sits on our laps at home, we almost never carry her when we are outside the house. Sometimes she is very scared at first, but it helps to let her sniff everything and check things out on her own.
It's hard not to pick her up when she is scared, but by not holding her, she learns to deal with her fears rather than hiding from them. If you coddle her, it reinforces her fears. When she faces a new place or meets new people, even though she is scared, you must be positive and reassuring. Don't constantly telll her "it's o'kay." Act like you are comfortable with the situation and like it's no big deal. She will pick up on your confidence. Every time she faces a new situation on her own and it works out o'kay, she is more confident to face the next new situation. If you are nervous or uncertain, she will also pick up on that and it will make her more afraid. |