I have no kids. I've been unemployed for the past 4 months, so we're home alot more than before. Before this, my job was literally a 4 minute walk from my apartment so I was usually always home for lunch.

When I'm not home, he's in his crate. Even if I dont' close the door on it, he still likes to hang around in there.

We go for walks or to the dog park about 2x per week on average. The typical day here is pretty quiet. I barely watch TV. He doesn't have any toys (I wrote a thread on that - never found anything he likes), so he lays in a corner next to the couch and naps most of the day. It's extremely quiet where I live.

And he's almost 8 and weighs about 8-10lbs

Nope, no toys for him. He doesn't like them at all. Even when we go to the dog park he is anti social. He'll wag his tail to and try his hardest to get in there..he'll wag his tail around to greet the other dogs (big and small) but then he'll jsut walk away and come lay down next to me and will refuse to interact with the other doggies.

All I know is that he spent his life strictly for breeding out in Amish country (here in Ohio). The rescue agency I got him from paid to take him away from there. He stayed with the shelter for like 3-4 months, was adopted into a couple. They kept him for about a year, decided to divorce and brought him back. He'd been back at the shelter about 3-4 months before I got him.

There is an animal rescue not far from my place. Hoping to see if she can maybe point me into a good direction.

Oh, forgot, are there others in the family he reacts to this way?

I feel for you and understand where you are coming from. Sounds like he is sooo damaged. there isn't much you can do. Can you find it in your heart to just give him a home and get another dog to fulfill your dreams of what you need in a dog? I feel for you....but I feel for this poor dog too. Bless you.....and him.

As a trainer and lover of Yorkies, I always tell people before any retraining, or behavior modification we must know that a dog is healthy physically.
You said his behavior changed recently, you also said he didn't lift his head for treats, and barked like he was afraid or angry. Not lifting the head, snapping at invisible flies and startle reactions to sound, spinning in circles and fearful behavior may be symptoms of a brain issue. It could also be an eye, ear, or tooth problem. It may be all behavior. I can't tell, I can only make an educated guess. A good vet/ doctor who is trained to examine, and choose the right tests can come to a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan. I just felt the need, to offer some suggestions that might help.

The first thought that came to my mind was maybe his eyesight is not what it used to be. I know with our little pom when she got older she was losing her sight and displayed a lot of fear.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I agree....and it may take a trip to a specialist or vet school to get a good neurologist....

I fostered a little brain-damaged dog for a few months and even she learned some things but couldn't retain it for longer than 2 days or so unless frequently reinforced. But she was happy, pretty frisky and not fearful of one single thing - even great heights or loud sounds or anything. She had no fear of falling, some fear of fire. Life was wonderful to Winnie. She would stand in her waterbowl, run into things and stare unendingly at the sky when outside. But she was very playful and kissy, loving. She could learn but not retain for very long.

I just wanted to offer my sympathy for what you are going through right now with your dog.

Your rescue dog is eight years old. It is a time of life that dogs can begin to show age related symptoms. I assume that you are under financial pressure being unemployed; but you need to get some medical assistance for your pup. There can be many reasons for an abrupt change in behaviour; many of which are medical in nature.

Have you considered selling some "stuff" on ebay? Offer some babysitting services? Would your vet be interested in an exchange of services? Could you offer to clean his clinic, in exchange for medical assessment/treatment? Perhaps you have computer skills he might need. Night time reception work?

In terms of your pup. Let's talk about "how you call come for your boy". When you are in the other room; is there a happy and excited lilt to your voice? If not really try that out. Come is one command that a puppy/dog, should always be rewarded for. You want to create the environment that coming to you is always, happy, exciting, secure, comforting, in otherwords, everything positive.

Food/Eating. Try this out. Have breakfast with your dog. Start in the same room, but place his food distant to you; then you sit down and eat too. Make some enjoyable sounds with your food. Ignore the dog.

Toy Drive: As a puppy mill breeder, he was never ever exposed to toys and fun times. No wonder he doesn't know how to play; he has never played!
It is possible to teach and adult dog to enjoy play. It will take a lot longer though; and is really dependent upon your dedication, imagination, and time devoted to the "task" at hand.
First you need to find and get re-acquainted with your own inner kid. Cultivate a sense of wonder and play.
Then select a toy, get one that squeaks, but don't use the squeaker yet. Place a toy in say a kitchen drawer; this is where you are going to "hide your toy" and only bring out this toy for fun and games.

Step 1. Go to the drawer. Find "your toy", with lots of happy lilting excitement in your voice. Oh boy, wowee Look at this. Continue talking, rambling if you will, with that same happy voice. Play with your toy. throw it up in the air and catch it! Shake and wiggle it around. Oh boy look at this TOY. Hopefully your pup has come into the room to investigate these happy sounds. Continue on with your game. Likely he will just watch the first few times. And let that be; that is good!. Name your toy. IDK - call it Mr Wiggles. Personalizing things, does help us to interact with "the toy".
Sounds silly doesn't it? Who cares? Enjoy your game.

If your boy doesn't come into the room to investigate. No worries. Put your toy away for now; again with some voicing out loud; oh dear Mr Wiggles; it is time to rest now.

Spend about 2-3 minutes doing this; 2-3 times per day. After three days, if your boy has not come to investigate, THEN..

Step 2. Go into the room where he is. Hide the toy in the room he is in. Try not to let him see you do that.

Then; do the same as step !, but in a softer/less volumne tone, after all you are in the same room.

Exercise: I think you said you only walk 2X per week? Not sure if you meant that; or if you meant you go to the dog park 2x per week.

Daily exercise is so very important for your pup and as a side note for you too!

A healthy dog should be quite fine with 2 - 30 minute walks a day. Now let's make those walks interesting. Change up the route. Change your pacing during the walk. Talk to your dog when walking. Make/ note of interesting things on your walk. A lovely flower, a butterfly on the wing, a grand old oak tree. Explore your environment as a health dog would. Stop, touch, smell things on your walk.
On a beautiful day, bring a book with you, sit under a tree with your dog, and read aloud to him.

It doesn't matter what really you do with him, but that you are with him. Companionship does wonders; for both the human and the doggie.

I do hope that things turn around for both you and the dog.