Hi Keith. Someone gave me a "rescue" yorkie two years ago. This little guy was five years old, un-neutered and lived outside in Oklahoma the whole five years. From what I have learned, there was another yorkie with him who died from their neglect. The people who had him said that he killed the other dog (ridiculous). This little guy was starved, neglected and locked up in a shed night and day. He escaped the shed and dug was able to escape the yard where a neighbor found him. After a month of caring for him at her home she approached his owner and asked if she could have him. They let her and she had two dogs already so was looking for a home. Through a friend I was able to get him. He was brought out to me (two states away) and he was terrified of people. He would just tremble violently and urinate all over when anyone tried to come near him. He was not potty trained. I kept holding him and consoling him, talking gently and quietly to him telling him constantly what a good boy he is, etc. I had him neutered and all of his shots updated. I worked with him daily as he would hide deep in a closet or under a bed, for hours, while I would try to find him! One time I searched the whole house not finding him and had several neighbors and my family looking for him for over an hour only to find him hiding deep in a closet. He is very well adjusted now and is my constant loyal companion. He is my baby! I am crazy about this little guy. He is so cute! He is potty trained and does very well with only an accident on rare occasions if I am unable to get home in time. I found I cannot be harsh with him because of his past, it completely turns him away from me and back into fearful behavior. He really struggles with trusting men, although he finally trusts my husband and adult son to come near him and cuddle with him. That took a lot of time. In the beginning I had to sit and talk softly with him, telling him what a good boy he was and coercing him to come to me. I didn't force him. As he began to trust me he became braver and braver. Every once in awhile he retreats (out of the blue-not sure what triggers this) to the fearful behavior. I go back to being very gently and talking to him and he eventually comes around. I know this is a book but I hope this helps somehow with your new little female. I found I cannot ever be harsh. One time I came on harsh with my little yorkie because he took off chasing deer in my yard which leads to a busy street and I feared he would get hit by a car. I gave him a little swat on the bottom and yelled and he got away and literally ran away from home! I have never done that again! Now I just talk to him and it works.
QUOTE=Wylie's Mom;4441683]Hi Keith - WELCOME to YT
! Glad you found us. Bless your big heart for taking in this little girl, she sounds just precious. Poor thing, being so jumpy and scared. There are times when I think meds can really help a dog who has some psychological scarring...at times like these, valium or prozac may be able to do wonders! I'd really talk to your vet about these meds for her. I'd also consider a Thunder Shirt - I wonder if she'd benefit from it; many member here have had good luck w/ it, but I don't really know if it'd work for what you're needing.[/QUOTE]