Does anyone else's pup randomly get scared?

[hotpinktrouble]

Curious, because I'm about to lose my dang mind. Nozz and I still don't have the best relationship, but I'm definitely trying...we'll be totally cool, like we were 30 minutes ago on the chair. We're laying there, he's licking my face uncontrollably, I'm laughing. Nothing changes, but all the sudden he faces away from me and starts shivering, and he's not cold. I don't know what to do any more! I've ignored him, held him, and everything in between, but almost every day he does this, and I'm really losing my patience. Help?

[Sweet Apple]

He may be getting some sort of pain in his body?....When was your last visit to the vet? Perhaps, if it's time for his shots, or something, you could mention this to the vet, so he could check him out?

[TeresaM]

Shivering doesn't always mean he's scared. There can be many causes. Could he be having a little low blood sugar episode? Does it happen more after activity? Could he have a pinched nerve? Is he responsive to you when it happens? How long does it last? How often does it happen? I agree with Sweet Apple, I think that maybe a vet visit, or at the very least a phone call, is in order. If it's happening enough that you are getting frustrated with it, then that would make it enough of a concern to me to seek hands on help.

[hotpinktrouble]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

Shivering doesn't always mean he's scared. There can be many causes. Could he be having a little low blood sugar episode? Does it happen more after activity? Could he have a pinched nerve? Is he responsive to you when it happens? How long does it last? How often does it happen? I agree with Sweet Apple, I think that maybe a vet visit, or at the very least a phone call, is in order. If it's happening enough that you are getting frustrated with it, then that would make it enough of a concern to me to seek hands on help.

I've unfortunately had enough instances (see: any thread I've started) of Nozzle being completely petrified of me to pretty much nail it as fright. I can't rule out the other two though. Hopefully not low sugar...I've just been leaving food out for him, and he'll go pick at it for a few days, and after like 3 will eat the whole dang thing finally. I have kong paste and pb, so I do that every so often since it's easy to "force feed" him that. Today's episode is still going on...submissive urination, cowering on the floor...even after I left for a little less than 2 hours to go to a dance class AND I didn't even put him in his crate because I didn't have time to try and calm him before putting him in so he wouldn't think he was getting punished. It varies times too...sometimes it's first thing in the morning, today it was more than an hour after I came home from work. I'm past the "oh poor cute shivery doggy" stage and I can't ignore the behavior forever...so I'm really curious if he's just a complete wuss or if there's a better way to deal with this...I know I sound heartless, apologies, I'm just really really nearing the end of my rope with the poor little guy.

[TeresaM]

Well if you are convinced that it is truly fear based then you have to find ways to build his confidence. Has he had all his shots? Can you go for walks yet. Walking is one of the best ways to build his confidence and your bond. Just be extra aware of whats going on around you and try to avoid things/situations that will scare him. Take treats with you so that you can reinforce when he does something "brave". Do you have friends with small dogs that you can do play dates with. Playing and interacting with other dogs is another way for him to build confidence. Try and figure out what triggers it, sudden movement or sound, loud (to him) noises, perhaps even a smell. Be careful about cuddling him and sweet talking to him when he is afraid, as this generally just reinforces in him that there was a reason to be afraid. Use a calm, firm, strong voice to reassure him that you are there and in control.

Annie B was terrified of storms. If it happened at night, I would turn on a light for her and calmly say, "It's ok Annie, quit now, lay back down and go to sleep." She would want to snuggle up next to me and I'd let her, but I wouldn't pet her and just left my arm around her or my hand on her. It got to where she was just afraid and not totally terrified. I was happy with that.

Boo is very sensitive to movement and sound. We have to really watch ourselves with him so that he doesn't get frightened. If I know I'm going to be making a loud noise I always say to him, "Boo, Momma's gonna make a loud noise now. But it's ok, you're a good boy and I love you." It does seem to help him to not be so startled. He still usually leaves the room, but it's more from the noise, and not because he's scared.

So all this to say, do your best to try and figure out the triggers, and to find ways to build his confidence. He may always be a scaredy-cat, but it will hopefully get better and more tolerable.

[JoeyP]

Aww ... poor little guy sounds like he's a very nervous little pup

If he's submissive peeing and shaking it's likely not anything physical
pass it by your vet but I'm assuming he's had his shots and everything is going ok

What You can do to help him and yourself is first understand where he's coming from
Everything seems like a threat
So loud noises
sudden movements people lunging at him and towering over him are going to make him cower

When you call him or come to him don't reach out to grab him
let him come to you
if you want to pick him up squat down before you reach for him
talk to him in sootheing tones

a lot of this he will grow out of but if you work with him it won't be as much of a nuisance

also when people come to you house tell them not to chase or lunge for him let him come to them

[hotpinktrouble]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

Well if you are convinced that it is truly fear based then you have to find ways to build his confidence. Has he had all his shots? Can you go for walks yet. Walking is one of the best ways to build his confidence and your bond. Just be extra aware of whats going on around you and try to avoid things/situations that will scare him. Take treats with you so that you can reinforce when he does something "brave". Do you have friends with small dogs that you can do play dates with. Playing and interacting with other dogs is another way for him to build confidence. Try and figure out what triggers it, sudden movement or sound, loud (to him) noises, perhaps even a smell. Be careful about cuddling him and sweet talking to him when he is afraid, as this generally just reinforces in him that there was a reason to be afraid. Use a calm, firm, strong voice to reassure him that you are there and in control.

Annie B was terrified of storms. If it happened at night, I would turn on a light for her and calmly say, "It's ok Annie, quit now, lay back down and go to sleep." She would want to snuggle up next to me and I'd let her, but I wouldn't pet her and just left my arm around her or my hand on her. It got to where she was just afraid and not totally terrified. I was happy with that.

Boo is very sensitive to movement and sound. We have to really watch ourselves with him so that he doesn't get frightened. If I know I'm going to be making a loud noise I always say to him, "Boo, Momma's gonna make a loud noise now. But it's ok, you're a good boy and I love you." It does seem to help him to not be so startled. He still usually leaves the room, but it's more from the noise, and not because he's scared.

So all this to say, do your best to try and figure out the triggers, and to find ways to build his confidence. He may always be a scaredy-cat, but it will hopefully get better and more tolerable.

We went on a walk yesterday...but halfway through it he wouldn't take treats anymore. I don't know how to reward him if he won't play and won't take treats...I'm completely at a loss and have basically just left him alone since our walk. He used to be around other dogs quite a bit, but lately (I took him out to a bbq with me on Wednesday) he is terrified of them. He was even hiding behind my boyfriend last night and wouldn't come out to go potty before I put him up for the night. I can't seem to make any progress...I try not to hover or come at him directly but that's dang near impossible...he's 4 lbs, not even 6" off the ground, and I'm 5'6"!!! I appreciate all the suggestions, but I don't know how to make him not scared of me and I think I'm selling him this weekend.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by hotpinktrouble

… I'm about to lose my dang mind. Nozz and I still don't have the best relationship
I don't know what to do any more! I've ignored him, held him, and everything in between, but almost every day he does this, and I'm really losing my patience

…I've unfortunately had enough instances (see: any thread I've started) of Nozzle being completely petrified of me to pretty much nail it as fright
I've just been leaving food out for him, and he'll go pick at it for a few days, and after like 3 will eat the whole dang thing finally.
…I do that every so often since it's easy to "force feed" him that.
…submissive urination, cowering on the floor...
… I'm past the "oh poor cute shivery doggy" stage and I can't ignore the behavior forever...so I'm really curious if he's just a complete wuss or if there's a better way to deal with this...I know I sound heartless, apologies, I'm just really really nearing the end of my rope with the poor little guy

…Completely, utterly confused and basically giving up

…but halfway through it he wouldn't take treats anymore. I don't know how to reward him if he won't play and won't take treats...I'm completely at a loss and have basically just left him alone since our walk.

…I can't seem to make any progress...I try not to hover or come at him directly but that's dang near impossible...he's 4 lbs, not even 6" off the ground, and I'm 5'6"!!! I appreciate all the suggestions, but I don't know how to make him not scared of me and I think I'm selling him this weekend.

I picked out some of the comments you made in this thread that really gave me pause. I am getting that you are very frustrated and may be transferring that frustration to your dog. They are VERY INTUITIVE. You need to really like your dog and they need to feel that before they can be comfortable. It may not be actual fear so much as not being secure. You have to feel confident before they can have confidence and trust in you. Almost all of their emotion comes from you. Relax and fall for your little one and you may be pleasantly surprised. Start looking at all the positive things about your dog instead of the negative. I am not hearing anything positive about your dog ownership. What drew you to Yorkies to start with? How cute do you think he is? What is he like when he does play? Think of all those things that you do like about him and see if you can build on that. This is more in YOUR control than you think.

[hotpinktrouble]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I picked out some of the comments you made in this thread that really gave me pause. I am getting that you are very frustrated and may be transferring that frustration to your dog. They are VERY INTUITIVE. You need to really like your dog and they need to feel that before they can be comfortable. It may not be actual fear so much as not being secure. You have to feel confident before they can have confidence and trust in you. Almost all of their emotion comes from you. Relax and fall for your little one and you may be pleasantly surprised. Start looking at all the positive things about your dog instead of the negative. I am not hearing anything positive about your dog ownership. What drew you to Yorkies to start with? How cute do you think he is? What is he like when he does play? Think of all those things that you do like about him and see if you can build on that. This is more in YOUR control than you think.

Oh you're absolutely right! And I know that, and I've been *trying* really, really hard to change it. Unfortunately I'm one of those people who doesn't hide emotion very well at all. I close the door all the time at work because if I'm upset, I just have to be upset and go on a little crying jag or have a temper tantrum before I can move on. After that I'm usually ok. Had I known how much of my emotion he would pick up on, I wouldn't have gotten a yorkie. I got Nozz because he's small (I live in Japan...I have a great house but barely any yardspace), he's cute (for sure!) and everything I read before said how confident and independent yorkies are. That's apparently not the pup I got...he's not super submissive, but he's not dominate either. It's a really strange combination.

Anyways, when he's not scared of me/other people/dogs, I really do think he's pretty freakin adorable. Unfortunately I just don't like the scared thing at all and I wish he'd get over it! I've had him for six months now. I'm at the point where I'm not sure anything I can do will help because even after a few great days, he'll usually freak out again for half a day or so. And the rollercoaster doesn't help right now because my boy is deploying this weekend and we may not be able to keep the relationship in tact (nothing bad, just very different schedules), so I'm a pretty sad panda at the moment.

Nozzle, when he plays, may be a little rough. Last night, Peet goes, "umm, Nozz is killing the squeaky ball!" lol...I don't know if that's bad or normal dog play. We roughhouse a little too much sometimes, but most of the time he's pretty well behaved. I dig that he knows "drop it" and does it fairly consistently.

I think the problems we have come a lot from his nerves (and my reactions to them...not trying to pawn this on the dog by any means) and his reactions to me when he gets nervous and tries to bite...or scream like I'm killing him....that's when I lose my cool!!!

So I'm trying to regulate me, and it's super hard. And him getting upset for no reason that I can pick out (honestly, sometimes me checking on him from the bathroom after I get out of the shower, a 3 second look around the corner, sets him off) doesn't help my frustration level. I'm trying to do the confidence/trust thing...but he's not eating treats I give, and he'll run up to me if I sit on the floor, but then start shaking like mad. So what am I supposed to do about that? Just only sit on the floor with him until he chills out? Try to (unsucessfully) train him (I say unsuccesfully because he will do what I ask, but get scared in the process)?