Losing hope with my Yorkie. Need help.
 

I got Belle about 3 months ago. She was a "rescue" dog that I picked up from a local dog breeder. Since the day I came to pick her up she was always scared and shivered tremendously when I or anyone else approached her.

It's been close to three months since I took her into my home and she still shakes and shivers when I'm near. I have a cage in the corner of my living room with her dishes next to it. The cage door is always left open. The first day she I took her in she was sniffing around the house and exploring, then after that day, she would stay in the cage and only comes to eat and drink.

I've read that it takes time for a dog to get adjusted and get used to things for about two weeks. After that, I tried to get her to get used to me by trying to find out what she likes, but it didn't work and still isn't. I offer her treats but she doesn't eat them until I leave it in front of her and walk away. Even If I offer a nice juicy piece of human food (steak, chicken) she does not care for it if it's in my hand. I come and pet her and talk to her gently from time to time. I bought a few squeaky toys and balls to try to play with her. But shes not interested and just cowers away every time. When I pick her up to bathe her or bring her outside she freaks out and squirms.

Today I tried to walk her but she just pulls back. And if I pull too hard she ends up dragging on her feet and I'm sure that's not the right thing to do.

I've called the breeder that gave me the dog and the only thing she knows is that the original owner could not "afford" to keep the Yorkie and that's why she was given up. But it seems to me that she may have been abused badly.

I'm out of ideas and have been losing sleep over this. I want to let her know that I'm a friend and I want her to trust me. Please don't be angry at me because I'm losing up, but it's very depressing that this dog does not want to be my companion.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have a couple very traumatized Yorkies. One is 12 yrs. and the other 13. It will take a long, long time for your baby to relax....maybe never. Rosie still is very stiff when I hold her and rarely sits on my lap. She likes to sit on my shoulder if she does come on my lap. I made a major mistake when I got her ( pre-YorkieTalk) and did not hold her every time I had an opportunity. I just thought that it was her personality to want to be alone. I should have known better. I have been making more of an effort since joining YT and she is doing better. She at least spends time with all of us...doggies and dh.....in our office. She has actually started laying in the middle of the couch. There have been times that the only way I am able to get her to eat is to hand feed her. I just discovered about 3 months ago that she is deathly afraid of her tags clinking against her eating bowl. I've tried all sorts of bowls and this was such a simple solution. Please know that you are doing a wonderful thing to give Belle a loving safe home. She will reward you ten-fold. Blessings for adopting her. ~Joanne~

Time and Lots of Patients. She may have been abused. Bless You for giving her a loving home.

I feel so badly for your little yorkie. Time and patience , with lots of tLC will be needed for your baby.
sometimes my yorkie has the shakes , and I have no idea why . She never has been abused .
was your yorkie with other dogs before you got her? maybe she is sad because she is so alone w/o any other dogs.
I know my 2 girls are the best of friends. Maybe she needs a playmate ?

Maybe your vet could put her on some kind of medication that will help calm her down. Try just sitting by her when she is in her pen and talking softly to her.
Do not look at her. She has probably been in a cage her whole life, so being out of it is very scary to her.

It took a rescue I have over a year. It takes time and lots of love.
But what a blessing for both of you that you gave her a loving home.
My Lucy still shakes and is frightened of loud noises

She actually was with a lot of other dogs. The breeder specialized in Maltese. Me and my girlfriend live in a house by ourselves and a 2nd dog is possibly an option. I think I will have to take her to meet other dogs to see if she will ease up.

As for the vet. I have a upcoming appointment to spay her. I noticed during the middle of the night she will mark a spot with her urine and start barking until I wipe away to marking.

Awwe. I have a rescue cat and she was the same way when I got her over a year and half ago. I think she was taken away from her mom early and that usually has a big effect on cats & dogs and their socialization skills. They learn at an early age from their mother what's safe and not safe and if taken away too early they don't learn and have a hard time adjusting. Do you know if that's the case? If it is it will take some time. I noticed with my cat the more I let her be and slowly and carefully forced myself on her the better she got. However, the more I forced myself on her the more frightened she was and the more she would run and ignore me, and not let me pet/hold her. It's been over a year since I got her and she's slowly getting more affectionate as time goes on.

Is it possible that she came from a puppy mill? Or a byb that always kept her caged up? I assume if this is all she has known since birth, her crate at home gives her comfort as it is something she is familiar with. How old is she?
Also, I think you walking over to where she is and talking sweetly to her is helping. If she is as badly abused as you suspect it will take lots and lots of time and tlc to get her use to friendly humans, instead of the ones that I suspect locked her in a cage and forgot about her. Keep her crate door open at all times, so she sees that she can come out whenever she wants. Also, when you talk to her, try sitting on the floor near her kennel and talk to her really sweetly. Put a blankie that you slept with or a piece of clothing that has your smell in there too so she can get to know you from a distance.
I hope this helps!

You're an angel for giving her a chance!!!!

I am in RI and know a great trainer who can help you. She may travel to some parts of MA. Send me a PM if you would like her contact information.

how are you doing?
 

Just a thought...Can you hold Belle close to your chest so that she can hear your heartbeat? That may help her bond with you as well as help her feel safe.:aimeeyork

Playdate
 

maybe she just wants to play with other dogs and would build her confidence from playing with another Yorkie perhaps to then interacting with you. Maybe also try just ignoring her instead of trying so hard. I have a Schnorkie who was a rescue and he literally acted like a shadow on the wall, dodging from here to there to avoid "capture" or whatever else he thought we might do to him. I've had him about a year now and despite him being a completely different dog he'll still at times decide he just wants to be left alone...since I got a miniature schnauzer and a Yorkie a couple months ago he now comes to my lap to sit and actually attempts close contact in a more common dog way. previously he would sit next to me for attention, but after seeing the other dogs jump on my lap he decided to try it out. Sounds like you issue is ALL ABOUT SOCIALIZATION!

Maybe she just wants to play with other dogs and would build her confidence from playing with another, Yorkie perhaps to then interacting with you. Playmates could be a better choice rather than just getting another dog. Also try just ignoring her instead of trying so hard. its so hard to do when you want to make it all better for them. I have a Schnorkie who was a rescue (pup mill throw away) and at first he literally acted like a shadow on the wall, dodging from here to there to avoid "capture" or whatever else he thought we might do to him. I've had him about a year now and despite him being a completely different dog, he'll still at times decide he just wants to be left alone...since I got a miniature schnauzer and a Yorkie a couple months ago he now comes to my lap to sit and actually attempts close contact in a more common dog way. Previously he would sit next to me for attention, but after seeing the other dogs jump on my lap he decided to try it out. Sounds like the issue is ALL ABOUT SOCIALIZATION! Also try Dogswell MellowMut, its totally safe, homeopathic, organic chamomile and lavender dog jerky...way better than a sedative...seriously who suggested that! I use Mello Mut (by Dogswell) for my Schnorkie as he had serious fear aggression (literally lost bowel and bladder control at the sight of a dog brush) with any type of grooming, as well as he had some serious aggression towards larger dogs when we went on walks...that's how we finally bonded was me walking him and for awhile he became very defensive of me. Mellomut is great and not a bad idea for the first couple play-dates either...

that poor girl...you did a good thing

a little help with walking her would be maybe carry treats with you and 'coax' her as you go...start with very short walks - maybe just out the door and back in again then go further and further

Once she starts getting more comfortable walking maybe she'll be more comfortable with you ?