I second the suggestion of soothing background music/nature sounds when appropriate. With regard to your barking issue, the following: I cannot explain why this has been almost 100% effective for us but it is. When Liberty starts to notice and respond to a neighborhood animal's sound or any sound that frequently triggers the alert response, I first give the quiet command as a reminder. If it looks like he's going to into bark mode, I say, It's ok" in soothing manner and pull him closer to me. It often stops there. Occasionally, he needs to hear, "mommy's (daddy's) got it" and give calming pats. Now sometimes when he hears a noise, he initiates seeking out a hug/pat when he is alerted. So much easier to indulge than dealing with barking!!!

Welcome. Nice to have more guys joining this great forum. I have a few thoughts as to why. Could be this yorkie is an A type personality. Very controlling and maybe feels threatened by a man in the house with his mom. If that is the case, then you're in for an interesting ride. A types certainly do bark a lot and aren't real comfortable if someone gets too close to their mommy. This is a time thing. Jake has to determine if you are a keeper. It's the day in day out activities that he will need to accept and "allow" you to do. I don't think A types can be bought with treats. It's more of an acceptance of your presence in the house. Eventually though, you can prove yourself to the little guy and he will "tolerate you".

The other thought and I say this carefully, is was there a man around for a while before you? Dogs can become attached to people and if one left and then you came around, he might just be unhappy. I don't know if that's the case, it's just something that popped in to my head when reading your words. Again, that's just a time thing and it could take a long time.

Just give it the time and take it day by day. Hopefully Jake will come around and let you be one of the family. Good luck.

I wanted to thank everybody again for all their input and continued help. You are a really wonderful resource. I come back to this thread to refresh myself on tips for dealing with Jake.

One thing I've noticed - and I'm pretty disappointed in myself for feeling this - is that I actually feel a little jealous about the situation. I've spent a lot of time, energy, and patience on the little guy and it bums me out that there just isn't any improvement. He's a wonderful little guy when my girlfriend is around, but a total wreck when she isn't. When she's here, he's prancing around, acting rambunctious, loves going on walks, jumping up on her, wanting to be pet, he'll eat, chew on chew sticks, playfully beg for food, and do everything he can to be around her. But when it's just Jake and me, he won't eat, shakes with fear if I even get near him, hides under the bed the second he notices I'm here and she's not, sulks around, and I'm practically dragging him behind me when we go out to potty (we live in a loft in downtown, no backyard). When she walks him, he's confident, prancing around, ears up, tail up. With me, his tail is between his legs and he's just staring at me in fear. It's like Jekyll and Hyde. I've tried all the advice - ignoring him, only providing food/potty/walks/treats, being loving, being patient. I feel like if I even make eye contract with him, he'll get scared and I will unravel whatever progress might have been made.

When my girlfriend is home, he will occasionally come near to beg if I have food, but he'd definitely never do that if she's not around. When she goes out of town, he sometimes doesn't eat for 72 hours, and only then at that point if I leave him a dish somewhere secluded and he'll eat at like 3:00am while I'm sleeping.

I'm just frustrated. It's been over a year like this. He's just an immensely loving little guy around my girlfriend, her mom, and her grandma, but is 100% the opposite with me. It's just strange having an animal in my house that is uncomfortable with me. I've never dealt with it before. I love animals and I get along great with every cat and dog I've ever met. It's weird coming home to one dog super excited to see me (Roxy) and another that runs immediately to hide (Jake). They both just worship her and just lose their minds when she's gone.

It's petty of me to be frustrated, I know. I just wish I knew what to do.

Well, I dont know if this is fact but I have always heard that males bond closer to women I have always chosen males and find them to be very close to me. (mamma boys)

I had one when I was 16 that when I left the house he would go hide and not come out until I returned home. someone may have a better or more correct answer as mine is just from personal experience.

OMGoodness...I got to the end of this thread and realized I hadn't taken a breath...I'm so glad that he came home. I just encourage you to be patient and Jake will come around. You sound like an ok guy to me so he's bound to come round. Good luck!

I am so sorry about the lack of progress, and that you feel 'ostracized' by this little Yorkie. I doubt his intent is to make you feel jilted, and I don't think it is necessarily petty to feel hurt after trying so hard to be recognized as someone who truly cares for him. It is difficult, by remote, to actually determine why he is so uncomfortable in your presence, since it could be that she is HIS and he is a 1-person canine, or that he feels inferior and in contest with a human male he sees as 'alpha' at the moment...or many other possibilities. However, Roxy is very excited to see you and loves you very much. More time may be all that is required, especially for him to see you shower Roxy with all the love you have for them both. Please post updates. I am still wanting complete success for you! :)

I read all the way down and saw where you managed to find him!!! WONDERFUL news!!! I am so happy for you, dad!!! And you cried over this....OMG!!! WE LOVE YOU ON HERE!!! The one thing I do want to beg you to do..... Please use halters on the babies...collars can damage their throats soooooo easily....and they can get out of a collar quite easily! I am thrilled you got your baby back!

Sometimes dog's personalities are partially shaped by their breeding. This little guy may just be a dog that does not bond well except to one person. I wouldn't take it personally. Maybe just step back and take it a day at a time. If he is a nervous little fella trying to bond with him may actually make the situation worse. Try just interacting with him when you have to like at meal time and walk time. Some animals want to pick who they trust. If he sees you are trustworthy and dependable he may eventually decide to make friends with you on his own. I have found this to be true with dogs that have been on their own for while. You can't really convince them to trust you until they observe you for quite a while.

I bought a "breeder" female back around 2004. She was a gorgeous lady....but she hated men. ABSOLUTELY hated men....she goes into an absolute crazy, frothing at the mouth, vicious, cant catch her breath barking fit....which is a real problem for my son! Kara is now retired, she was a great little momma, and she threw beautiful babies with wonderful dispositions, so I can only guess she must have been "mishandled" by men before she came here with me. We have worked and worked and tried everything possible, to get Kara to accept men....she will have NO part of it. And even after being around my son, who, God love him has worked his guts out trying to gain her trust and confidence for over 9 years, she still attacks his heels and feet whenever he walks into a room she is in. If she cant get to him, she just barks soooo hysterically, she cant even catch her breath....it is that way with ANY many she sees. I will have Kara until she goes to Rainbow Bridge, because I am fearful there is no one who would put up with her incessant crazy barking everytime she sees a man....and I would not wnat her to end up on the street or a shelter, because of something that was done to her....so taking a page from my son's book on dealing with a baby that has trust issues, just be patient with him....and love him and give him treats....Jimmy will get on the floor and let Kara get used to him down on her level...she still wont associate with him, but she stops barking hysterically when he lays on the floor....just some insight to what we have done to try to get a baby with trust issues to accept or at least tolerate men that may enter my Kara's space on a daily basis! My son has accepted Kara, even tho she certainly has not accepted him or any man!

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I can't even imagine how frustrated you must be. I do agree that boys tend to be Mommas babies as I have 3. Our little girl loves my husband. I wish I ha some words of wisdom or you, but honestly I don't!! Good luck and keep trying!!

I wish I could offer you some advice, but all I can do is tell you that your loving attempts to bond with Jake are so very admirable. I've heard "it may just take more time" to "it probably won't ever happen and accept it." I don't know what the answer is or how Jake will be 5 years from now. Just be there when he needs you and if he ever needs you, he'll come to you. Show how loving you are with Roxie..he sees that.

I don't think it is petty for you to feel jealous and frustrated. I think it is human. Mandie is great with me but she is NO WHERE near bonded to me like she is my hubby. They just have a connection. My boy dog is underfoot with me all the time. I still get a little jealous of hubby's relationship with Mandie and he get's jealous of me and my boy dog. We are all just human, ya know.

You are doing all you can and you are a great dad. Hold onto that knowledge ok? Hugs!

I say time is your friend here. Bailey (a he) bonded to me quickly. He wouldn't spend much time with Natalie. It hurt her feelings. It's been well over a year now and he's warmed up to her considerably. He definitely chooses my lap when we watch some tv in the evenings. But he now spends time with her in her office upstairs during the day. In fact, last year at this time, he wouldn't leave my side. At this very moment, he's with her in the other room.

So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Can't say when, but all you can do is continue to try.

is there maybe a favorite treat that he likes that only you could give to him? something that no one else does?

Some dogs are just like this even if they have NEVER been mistreated. I have a small dog( not yorkie) WHo is like this with every single person he has ever met except me and my husband. I have had him since the day he was born. I know that he was never abused.
I think i would try to be happy that Roxy loves you so much, and try to accept that Jake may never love anyone as much as he loves your girlfriend.
My yorkie, came to me as a puppy, and my husband and i were already married, so he has been here the whole time, and he loves loves loves me. He does not love my husband. Some dogs just attach themselves to one person and thats all. Its actually very common with small breeds.

Can I just say, this is such an interesting thread...