Question

[mndlyn76]

I have had my yorkie for a little over a month. She is 6 1/2 we have found out from our vet. The previous owner told us she was 3 1/2. According to vet records she is 6 1/2 not that it matters too much to us we love either way. They decided to give her away because she didn't socialize with the family much anymore after they brought a couple more dogs in the house so thought she would do better in a single dog family. I don't think she was always treated very nicely as she still acts scared at times. For example, when you go to pet her or pick her up her initial reaction is to cower. She still likes to lay in her dog bed most of the time and doesn't interact much with us. She will sit with you on the couch sometimes but you always have to go over to her bed to get her to do so. She doesn't play with her toys much but will occasionally and when she does, she really seems to enjoy them. How do we get her to interact more with us? Or do I just need to give her more time to adjust?

[MandiesMom]

Hi there. My Yorkie always cowers when we bend down to pet her or to pick her up. I think some of them are just like that because of their size. Try always kneeling down to her level on the floor before reaching for her. That seems to work with Mandie..she won't cower that way. She does run away sometimes. I think they all just have their own personalities and Mandie is the kind that loves attention when she asks for it but other times, she wants to be left to her own wiles. lol

To get her to play and interact more, try enticing her with little treats everytime you play with her and the toys. She'll start associating playing with you and her toys as extra special because she also gets treats. Work with her to teach her tricks with treats, too. This will give her a sense of accomplishment and might bring her out of her shell some.

And, as you said, she might still just need more time to adjust too. Be patient and just love her as you do. She'll be fine

There are members here who have worked with rescues and I'm sure they will offer some good tips and advice for you.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Hi there. My Yorkie always cowers when we bend down to pet her or to pick her up. I think some of them are just like that because of their size. Try always kneeling down to her level on the floor before reaching for her. That seems to work with Mandie..she won't cower that way. She does run away sometimes. I think they all just have their own personalities and Mandie is the kind that loves attention when she asks for it but other times, she wants to be left to her own wiles. lol

To get her to play and interact more, try enticing her with little treats everytime you play with her and the toys. She'll start associating playing with you and her toys as extra special because she also gets treats. Work with her to teach her tricks with treats, too. This will give her a sense of accomplishment and might bring her out of her shell some.

And, as you said, she might still just need more time to adjust too. Be patient and just love her as you do. She'll be fine

There are members here who have worked with rescues and I'm sure they will offer some good tips and advice for you.

Good post and I agree, Joey acts like that when I pick him up too, I know this pup was never abused.

When Joey plays with his toys, he wants to get us involved, he loves it when we pretend chase him and take the toy and throw it. Some will say it's not a good idea to chase them, and I'm sure they are right, but he loves it so much. Another thing Joey and Ralphie both love is time on the couch with me while I hold their bully sticks. I agree it takes time, but it sounds like it sounds like you're doing everything right. Best of luck, I'm glad she found a home that loves her.

[brezofleur]

So does Zeus. He was also adopted so I had also assumed that it was because of abuse. I'm glad to hear this may not be the case!

Zeus has been with us almost a year to the day (new year's eve!) and he's just now feeling pretty much 100% comfortable. It took him 6 months to pick up a toy and a couple more months to actually play for a bit. Now he will not even hesitate to join in the fun if he thinks you're willing to play.

Give it a year. That's what I've always said with various dogs and that's about how long it's always taken. In my experience, at least. Some are less, but the average is about a year. Don't get me wrong though - you'll definitely see changes in 2-3 months, but it's a whole 'nother dog in 12.

Thank you for taking this baby in!

[concretegurl]

Time, patience constant reassurance.

It took Elvis over a year before he played with toys.

I thought he just had no interest and was just content watching the other dogs play...slowly he would venture from being my constant shadow to exploring, as long as I'm in sight.
One day he just flew off the couch to get the sqeaky stuffy!

He plays a bit now, if course he has medical issues, severe arthritis, so I imagine him being on meds for his joints and inflamation helps.

Always rule out medical issues first then look at behavioral.

To be fair some dogs take a longer time to adjust to new surroundings, and some do better in calm households...if I was that small I too woukd want people to approach me at my level, slowly reach at me comfort me, pet down my back then lift me in a way that was comfortable.

We are often sudden swooping giants to these lil guys.

Ya know we joked about it but thinkong back I don't think Elvis was ever picked up!

He'd "swim" and be unsure unless held very close and honestly as much as he loves to be a lap dog unless we are out he prefers to walk himself...well to follow directlt behind me-always!

[concretegurl]

There are mixed opinions on lazer pointers...

I know for us it really aided in Elvis playing and learning he could go more than 2 feet from me.

Oneon one play was essential at first, we had a 4 pack of dogs here

[AngelFae]

We used to play with a lazer pointer with our big dog when he was a pup and to this day (he's almost 8) he watches and sometimes chases lights, reflections, ect. Sort of funny when we are sitting out on the deck and he all of a sudden jumps up on the siding trying to bite the lights reflecting off of our phones! It's handy in keeping him quiet for long periods of time, he is a whiner, otherwise.

[Lovetodream88]

Maybe if yall do some walks and training together it might help her bond with you and interact with people more. Like if she doesn't know sit, stay and stuff yall could do that. Me and Callie have a blast when we do training even now at 5 years old I still teach her tricks and stuff and she picks them up super fast.

[R_Z]

Bailey always rolls over when we go to pick him up. As for it only being a month, you have to realize this poor soul came from an environment she was used to for many years. While she feels normal to you, I can well imagine the little girl is still trying to make this new place her home. I'd certainly give her 6 months of love and I'm sure she will begin to feel like it's her home. Just take it day at a time.

[Teresa Ford]

Welcome to YT. It is true that not every cringing dog has been abused. Some are just motion sensitive, noise sensitive, even hearing or seeing problems can cause this dunking behavior. My advice is to stay calm and don't rush to pick her up when she is frightened. Dogs seem to react to pity, the way they do to fearful behaviors, with more anxiety. So don't feel sorry for your Yorkie, remember they prefer to live in the moment. Right now there is nothing scary or bad happening. Gently introduce her to physical contact and touching. Move slowly, think massage touching, not tickle touching. Play should be encouraged as a form of bonding. It help to have a routine time for meals, walks, play and grooming. Best wishes and again welcome to YT.

[gracielove]

Since you don't know for sure what is causing her to act this way just take it slow. She is a not too old to learn to trust but she is old enough to know she is in a new strange place so I'm sure she is a bit scared and nervous.

Just be gentle and sweet with her. Move slowly so as not to startle her. I would continue to pick her up and let her know it is OK to sit with you and socialize. I think getting down on her level is a great idea. She she may not have been socialized very well but now she is in a place where she can learn to lighten up and enjoy life. Since the people lied to you about her age I would be a bit suspicious about their other behaviors as well.

The great thing about dogs is that they continue to learn even as they get older and 6 is not very old for a Yorkie. As long as this dog does not have any genetically transmitted personality issues she will come around with time and lots of love.

[Verbena]

Sitting on the floor and putting her on your lap. Pet her. Talk in a soothing voice. Take one to one time with her. No other people around. No distractions. Training is a wonderful way to bond with her. Start small with simple things and then move on from there. It is true. It takes some time to get used to the environment and new people. You will start to see some improvement in a few months. You will see a large change in a year. It is worth it. Good luck. Keep us updated how she is doing.

[mndlyn76]

Thanks for all the advice. I need to start working on some training time. She knows sit and come fairly well, although she is selective about when she listens to it. I have yet to find any treats that she really loves yet to entice her to work on training with. I have tried Cheerios, sniffs them and walks away. She does like apples, i might be able to cut them in little bits and use them.

[concretegurl]

Elvis ignored treats for the first couple months...he's a glutton shameless beggar now though.

Baby carrots and chicken breast bits are rarely ever denied by a yorkie that I know of