shy guy...please help

[Muffie's Mom]

You may want to enroll your puppy in a puppy class or a basic obedience class.

I'm reading a book titled "Help for Your Shy Dog.....Turning Your Terrified Dog into a Terrific Pet" by Deborah Wood.

They really stress training, training, training and practicing with your dog.

That will help immensely.

Be happy that he's not a yapper but you can always break them from that.

I got the book because Missy is timid and balks a lot OUTSIDE with different noises, etc.

Good luck.

[Yorkie Owned]

Originally Posted by shynewyorkie

Wow, many thanks to all of you who have lent so much feedback and support; I definitely feel reassured...and look forward to trying the chicken approach!
Sir Theodore is a special little guy.
That being said, since posting, I took some time to look over his papers (something that I feel silly for not doing sooner, but I was just too wrapped up in Theo..). After Livingdustmops' post, concerning the possibility that his earlier homes may have been rough, I looked up the address of the man who sold Theo to the lady who sold him to me, a man she called her "good friend" a "wonderful respected breeder"--and sure enough, the address (very messily scrawled, especially compared to the other things she had written) led to one of those massive Amish puppymills . It turns out that Theodore is from a particularly awful one, too--one with tons of citations, many dog deaths, and a farm fertilized by unsold/dead-dog compost (this last fact came out of the puppymiller's own mouth during a court hearing that I found the "minutes" to, online). After investigating further, I even managed to find a picture of the abominable living conditions that poor Theodore undeniably grew up in...

Now, while I'm thrilled to have an adorable and quiet yorkie, it breaks my heart to know that his "puppyhood" may have been robbed from him for the sake of his pricey hide. And while I never intended for this to be a thread about the commonly-begrudged puppymill problem, I would just like to remind us all, once again, how far-reaching the affects of animal abuse truly are...
I mean, the affects of abuse and greed are curled up quietly in my lap, right now. They're in my house. Theodore doesn't know how to be loved..

Anyway, I apologize for the lengthly speech--I'm pretty sad right now. I mean, just look at Sir Theodore's picture... those eyes.
Before today, puppymills only made me feel *uncomfortable*, but now I'm proud to say that I'm feeling something a little bit closer to enraged.
Though I probably would have bought Theo even if I had known about his past (sometimes a puppy is just right for you), I still took the clever words of a breeder that I didn't know, and still feel duped... Thank God he is, at least, healthy.
If this new news, as to his upbringing, changes any of your advice--or if you have any more suggestions in light of these new developments--please let me know.
I'm proud to be the one to love the abuse out of Theodore..
And, again, I apologize for the length.
Theo's Mom

Your post truly broke my heart.... but it's good to know that Theo is one of the lucky ones. He may not have had the best introduction into the world, but the remainder of his life will be wonderful! Armed with what you now know about is his past, you can be more prepared to deal with what he is feeling and going through. With your love and devotion, he will soon forget his past and began to show his true personality. Sending lots of hugs and kisses his way!!

[Lacy's Mom]

I'm sure with a little TLC he will come out of his shell at least around your family. My mom has a maltese that was never abused, but still very shy. She wouldn't keep her bow in her hair for more than five minutes so her vision was usually obstructed. My mom just had her cut like a poodle and it changed her whole personality immediately. The only thing we can figure is that she is more confident now that she can see all the time.

[Lexi Rae]

lexi and myself are sending hugs and kisses....he will be just fine...
he is in good hands now...

[Miss Cat Ears]

You know, I was going to post the same advice everyone else had, then I read your second post, and I think it is especially more likely that he will become very attached to you. He is probably so jaded right now but when he opens up a little he will always want to return your affections, I'm sure.

[mustangbee]

Welcome to YT!!!!!



Thanks to you Sir Theodore now has a forever loving home.
He will warm up, he just wants to know you will always be there for him.
Maybe same play dates, furbabies love them

[gdogrl]

Your post just broke my heart. Poor baby. But he is a very lucky baby now. Give him time and lots of love. He will return it 10fold. Good luck to you and your baby.

[Nazir's]

I dont have a yorkie; however, I've just experienced this very same thing myself. I recently brought home a miniature pinscher that didn't have the temperament of a min pin at all.

At first I thought that something was wrong with him; perhaps, something happened to him in the past because he was WAY TOO skittish. I was willing to take him home and observe him over time before making my final decision on keeping him or not. When I saw how min pinish' and comfortable he was with his breeder, I just thought of him as way too shy; unconfident, with a lack of socialization.

My mentor looked at this boy and knew that he'd need some patience and lots of TLC. I couldn't be a better person for the job, so I decided to keep him. I've now had him for only a month and no one can believe that he's the same skittish fellow that they first met.
He is now barking, causing racket, greeting strangers, and being the min pin that he was intended to be.

He lacked confidence and security. He now has that and more. My point is; just give it some time and take it slow. The puppy should come around.

Good luck!