Tucker isn't bonding
 

You guys probably think I"m a nut, posting so many threads about Tucker's shyness, but I'm just so worried. He still isn't bonding with me or my fiance'. The only time he lets us play with him is if we are laying completely flat on the floor and even then it's only sometimes. Most of the time he's running from us. When I pick him up, he usually struggles to get free. If I try to sit with him on the couch for some bonding time, he jumps off and lays on the floor. Has anyone had a similar situation before or have any ideas?

Only the same ones I posted in your other thread. I think you just need to give it time. It hasn't been very long. Patience. I think in time he'll feel safe and all will be good. He may be able to sense your anxiety about this, so try and just relax around him.

Big hugs, hang in there.

Hi there :D I remember you... Sorry to hear that your feeling discouraged... Though, I definately agree w/ Tiggerwit... You have to be patient my dear. Your pup is still a baby and is for whatever reason still a little uncomfortable... Just keep trying. Im sure there is something that can spark his interest :)

Is there something odd in his history at all? What was his breeder like?

Figure out what HE likes - a certain stuffed animal, a toy, a sock, a bed or whatever - and hold that item with him on your lap. Give him treats when he's in your lap - make him wait progressively longer for treats. Tell him how good he is, give him neck massages etc. - act like he HUNG the moon.

Eventually, he'll get over whatever is going on. Just flood him w/ love...

Zoey never let me pick her up until she was about 5 months old. If I wanted to hold her, I literally had to "catch" her. She still isnt a cuddler. I think Tucker will come around.

Some aren't. My Max was sparadic on being held. It was at his choosing. Now Alphy on the other hand loves loves loves to be held, cuddled, etc.

I've had Gracie for just about 2 months and she is just now coming to me but she is not comfortable with being held still

I've bought every type of treat that I can find, but can't find any he is crazy about. I give him a treat when he comes in from going potty and sometimes he'll eat it, but other times he won't. The only thing he's went crazy about is a small bite of grilled chicken breast. But I don't want to give him too much of that as I'm afraid he won't eat his puppy food.

If I'm laying completely flat on the floor he'll sometimes play ball with me or with a stuffed toy he has, but that's about the extent of it. I guess I'm just yearning for the day when he is actually excited to see me come home from work. Right now, I come home, open the door of his crate and he doesn't even get out. I lay down on the floor and try to coax him out with a treat or toy, but he still doesn't. Then I have to reach in and get him - which he hates since that requires me picking him up - and then take him out to potty. He usually will then play for a little bit after we get back in from potty, but still no excitement about seeing his mommy.

TJ he was 13 weeks old and Roxy was 6 months old when I got them. TJ was the 'overly excited pup' while Roxy was VERY scared and shy and timid. I remember carrying her outside in our backyard, she was 'shaking' nonstop and she kept her face glued into my neck. TJ was just looking all around in excitement.

I don't know for sure 'what' kind of life they both had at the breeder, but obviously Roxy wasn't given the proper socialization, that's all I can think of.

When we would all sit on the couch, there was TJ crawling all over us, and poor Roxy was at the farthest spot possible on the couch with her face buried in the pillows. After a few months, she would lie on my ankles, then after a few more months, she would lie on my tummy and then after more months she would plant herself on my chest. It has been 2.5 years now and she has come a long, long way. She is not a face to face dog, she doesn't like 'loving' - don't get me wrong she wants to be with me all the time, but on her terms. She won't play with me either, but I do catch her playing by herself and sometimes with TJ.

It takes a lot of time, patience and love. There are a handful of books that you get can about Shy Dogs - How to Help Shy Dogs. One thing I learned was to build their confidence. You can do this by teaching commands. I can't get Roxy to focus to learn 'tricks' b/c all she wants is the treat. But I did teach her to "Give Mommy a Kiss". She won't really touch my mouth, but she comes in real close, real quick and then backs away. Well, that's good enough me for ;)

Hang in there, he is just going to require a little extra effort on your part, but what a joy it is to see them actually come out of there shell, oh I just melt :p