[iluvminpins]

I recently rescued a tiny Min Pin puppy from some crackheads. They had advertised him on Craigslist and then when I called them about him they said they were "tired of these damned dogs running around all day" and that they were going to strangle them (I kid you not). (I have since given their address to the Animal Control in my city). I went to take one of the puppies which involved a drive to the housing projects in my city and then the two crackheads handed me the puppy through a car window. When I asked whether the pup was a boy or girl, they did not know. When I asked whether the pup had been neutered, one of them said, "neutered? what does that mean hon?" They told me the pup was 5 months old.

So, I took the pup (a male) to my vet and his health checked out just fine. However, my vet is sure that the puppy is only 2 months and not 5 months. Now, my only problem is that the puppy is painfully shy. He will run up to me, lick my hand and then run away. If I try to pick him up he becomes aggressive and starts to growl (he actually bit the dog trainer that I hired to help us).

I caught him using a net and dropped him into my lap and when I did that he sat in my lap for hours and enjoyed me stroking him and even gave me kisses. But he still won't let me pick him up and the only way I can catch him is using the net!

I have a slightly older dog (another Min Pin) and she is very outgoing and the new pup is very close with her - he acts like she's his mom. Will the older dog help socialize this new baby? What else can I do to bring him out of his shell? He will actually eat out of my hand but once he's eaten the food out of my hand he sprints away.

He weighs just over 1 lb and he is a darling.

[opokki]

Some dogs, especially fearful ones, are overly sensitive to the way people approach them. Leaning/reaching over, lifting them off the ground can be very intimidating. I would try to entice the pup to approach and get into your lap you on his own. This may be easier once he adjusts to his new surroundings. I also think your older dog will help. Dogs do learn from each other and if he continuously sees that the other dog is not afraid to approach he may not be so afraid either.

[sobreeze]

time seems to heal alot of things be good to him and love him and some day things will just be better he maybe did not get off to a good start in life

[Ripspiegal]

Ohh your puppy sounds sooo cute...

I really hope it all works out for you both - perhaps it's just his nature to be skittish.
Apparently there is some new research that points to the mental health of the mother during pregnancy which can have profound effects on the offspring. (I don't know the name of the theory, saw it on Tv)

Considering where the mother came from could be a problem...

Also he has probably been smacked a bit which would also make him fearful - considering the death threats his previous 'owners' made.

It does sound serious because you want you pup to be outgoing and safe around children - so I really do hope it all works out.
Good luck

[vedo]

Roast Beef...call him...say his name...then give him the meat. When I call my dog, he comes running as fast as he can!

[pinkpuppy360]

Originally Posted by iluvminpins

I recently rescued a tiny Min Pin puppy from some crackheads. They had advertised him on Craigslist and then when I called them about him they said they were "tired of these damned dogs running around all day" and that they were going to strangle them (I kid you not). (I have since given their address to the Animal Control in my city). I went to take one of the puppies which involved a drive to the housing projects in my city and then the two crackheads handed me the puppy through a car window. When I asked whether the pup was a boy or girl, they did not know. When I asked whether the pup had been neutered, one of them said, "neutered? what does that mean hon?" They told me the pup was 5 months old.

So, I took the pup (a male) to my vet and his health checked out just fine. However, my vet is sure that the puppy is only 2 months and not 5 months. Now, my only problem is that the puppy is painfully shy. He will run up to me, lick my hand and then run away. If I try to pick him up he becomes aggressive and starts to growl (he actually bit the dog trainer that I hired to help us).

I caught him using a net and dropped him into my lap and when I did that he sat in my lap for hours and enjoyed me stroking him and even gave me kisses. But he still won't let me pick him up and the only way I can catch him is using the net!

I have a slightly older dog (another Min Pin) and she is very outgoing and the new pup is very close with her - he acts like she's his mom. Will the older dog help socialize this new baby? What else can I do to bring him out of his shell? He will actually eat out of my hand but once he's eaten the food out of my hand he sprints away.

He weighs just over 1 lb and he is a darling.

Its a very young puppy and it was just brought to a totally different envirment then what he is used to. If you desperatly want t ohold him, try holding a treat on your lap and he will sure enough, hop on.

Can you please post a picture of him? Im very curious to know how he looks! He sound so cute!

[blackgavotte]

In addition to what Opokki said about the bending over and leaning over, also remember that he may be very frightened of your size etc, if you face him straight on.

One of the ways that I found best to get a frightened dog to me, was to squat down, turn my side to them, drop my eyes, while talking in a softer, calming voice, and patting my thigh at the same time, encouraging them to come to me. I have found that just by doing that alone, some very fearful dogs would actually, desperately slink up, then hop into my lap, so relieved to know I was a safe human. Making yourself smaller to this baby may just turn it around.

Check out Turid Rugaas' site too, she wrote a booklet about calming signals, which I read about 5 years ago now, and it is really interesting. Try yawning and licking your lips. No kidding. Check out the site..This is a frightened baby of a different species. He's had a rough start in life, he is very young, and he may actually understand dogspeak better than human signals at this point.