[youngsunnz]

Hi, I have a 11 month old puppy, almost a year old this april 16th. I bought him from a breeder. Hes a great dog, but i have some problems.He is very scared of me. He never eats from me, not even treats, he never sits with me. He does only if no one else is around as soon as someone else comes he runs away. I have to say come here to him about 12 times before he even makes a move. While he is he stops and rethinks and sometimes goes back. I scolded at him about 7 months ago. That was only when he had an accident. So did everyone else as much as i did. But i didnt do it in a mean tone at all. But for some reason he is very scared of me. I have never laid my hand on him in any way or anything. Ive tried everything. Trying to feed him with only me their to giving him treats and spending a very long time with him alone and tried to give him treats but he didnt eat them ever. The only time he does eat a treat from me is when soemone else is in the room. I dont know what to do. Ive tried for 6 months to fix our problems whatever they are and i told everyone else in the household if he does something bad you guys and say no to him and im not going to so he doesnt associate me with punishment. They do say no to him but he isnt scared of them. I waited so long to get my own dog. and finally when i did he is so scared of me. Many times when he sits with me, he shakes alot and sometimes pees when he doesnt need to, he shakes only with me around him and no one else. Also he sits with everyone in the house except with me. hell come over to get a pat then he leaves as if hes going to get in trouble. I need help.
ps. he is a yorkshire terrier

thank you

 

[Binkalette]

How do you approach him? I know sometimes dogs can be afraid of someone just because of the way they approach.. Make sure your not bending over him or looking threatening in any way.. have you tried sitting on the floor or going down to his level when you want him to come? I can't think of what else would be causing him to fear you, since you said you've never laid a hand on him..

 

[youngsunnz]

yes ive tried going onto his level and calling him. I approach him in an excited manner so he can be happy to come to me. That still doesnt work he crouches over and comes slowly to me

 

[deege39]

I wish I could give you some words of comfort, because Donatello was abused he acts very scared of me at times as well and I've had him since December...

However, everything that you say you do are things I would have suggested you try. : (

Have you tried taking him to obedience classes? Have you tried taking him to a behaviorist? I know those things can be costly, but if it gives a solution and a lifetime of comfort to you and your dog then I would most certainly look into it.

 

[cshellenberger]

yes ive tried going onto his level and calling him. I approach him in an excited manner so he can be happy to come to me. That still doesnt work he crouches over and comes slowly to me

If you are approaching from the front and sounding excited it's probably threatening to him. Try this, sit on the ground, NOT facing him but at a 45* angle to him and call to him in a quiet, high voice while throwing treats (such as cut up hot dog) just toward him (not to hard though). Always approach him in a quiet calm way and do NOT reach over his head (again it's scary to him).

 

[MissMutt]

Agreed with Carla.

Also, are you a male? Sorry to be so blunt, lol, but I'm wondering if maybe there's a connection between feeling fearful towards a male, which some dogs are (yet are fine or better with females).

The treats might not be high-value enough. I've known a LOT of finicky little dogs. IF you get something REALLY yummy and stinky - hot dogs, for example, like Carla said - that might spark his interest a little more.

How long have you had him and how well was he socialized? Did you take him to puppy classes, or the park, or anything?

About the pat, then walk away.. HOW are you touching him? Patting him on the head? Some dogs find that quite uncomfortable.

 

[TooneyDogs]

Work backwards and stop calling him to you. From now on he comes to you on his own. You have to change his perception of you and you do that by just tossing treats...no demands, no talking...don't even look at him. If he doesn't rush to snatch them up that's fine....let him go at his own pace.
The first thing that will happen...he will start watching you. The 2nd thing....he will start moving closer to you...a major breakthrough! He's starting to change his opinion of you. Keep tossing treats....still no pressure...no talking, looking or reaching for him. Next step....taking a treat from your hand...don't look at him. If he takes it....quiet praise.
At this point you can also start looking at him but, don't make it a hard look...look at him out of the corner of your eyes. Your eye contact tells the dog everything he needs to know...words aren't even necessary. How you look at your dog can say, "Leave the room!" or, "Hello Sweetie." That's why this is so important.
The last step is actually petting while he's beside you. His whole attitude has to say that he's ready for that.

 

[JohnnyBlaze]

This might be too late but its worth a try. Leave a sock or shirt you've worn with him in his crate. I've always done this when I bring home a new puppy, this helps the dog create a bond with you.

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

We fostered a little pom rescued from a puppy mill like this. Dezi would bolt if you walked any where near him. We had to give him a lot of space and not force contact, let him come out of his crate when he was ready, and give lots of praise every time he did ANY THING independent, including eating, walking 2 feet, etc.

My doxie is great with me and my boyfriend, and will do decently with other females, but males are an issue.

 

[Billycourty]

Also he could consider you his pack leader and he is leaving space as a sign of respect.

He could feel more comfortable with the others because he considers them the same pack level.

Just be a strong leader to him (kind) and you might find he relaxes, he might be thinking you are trying to give him pack leadership and he isnt able to handle it.

Jay

 

[cshellenberger]

Jay, this is not a respect thing, peeing on site is a sign of anxiety and fear.

Yes, the OP should be kind, and they should communicate that they are not a threat with 'calming' body language.

 

[Billycourty]

Chellensberger:

Submissive peeing can be done as a sign of respect to a leader.

What i am saying is that this dog could be being confused by his leaders lack of consistency. Having your pack leader fawn all over you isnt comforting for a submissive dog.

I am not talking about being alpha or anything like that, but submissive dogs do exist none the less.

Jay

 

[Mac'N'Roe]

I went through a phase with my dog Roe. She became frightened of me when I asked her to move out of a chair and then put the legs out (recliner). It scared the daylights out of her and she wouldn't come near me for months...and if i entered a room...she left. At first, I was trying too hard and looking at her a lot. I think this made her more afraid...me approaching her and trying to get her attention.

She's not scared of me anymore (like I said, it took a couple of months). The best method I used was just ignoring her. She's still shys away when I approach directly to her in a small space. I have found that if I ignore her and turn my back or to the side of her, she'll approach me. Try this, but give it time.

 

[poodleholic]

Chellensberger:

Submissive peeing can be done as a sign of respect to a leader.

What i am saying is that this dog could be being confused by his leaders lack of consistency. Having your pack leader fawn all over you isnt comforting for a submissive dog.

I am not talking about being alpha or anything like that, but submissive dogs do exist none the less.

Jay

I know you mean well, but, I don't think you know what you're talking about here.

 

[cshellenberger]

Chellensberger:

Submissive peeing can be done as a sign of respect to a leader.

What i am saying is that this dog could be being confused by his leaders lack of consistency. Having your pack leader fawn all over you isnt comforting for a submissive dog.

I am not talking about being alpha or anything like that, but submissive dogs do exist none the less.

Jay

Submissive peeing is done as a sign of FEAR. Nearly every fear aggressive dog I have worked with (as well as the one I've owned) started this way. It has nothing to do with respect, respect is shown by coming up to the pack leader and licking their jaws/chins as a pup would do it's parents (most pack leaders ARE the parent dogs/wolves). In a healthy pack the ONLY members that will submissive pee are those in danger of being put out of the pack or being killed (usually due to severe illness). If you are going to apply wolf pack theory to dogs (even though research has proven that the pack structures are entirely different), at least do it correctly and be sure you know what the latest data says about it.

 

[Billycourty]

ROFL

Anyway looks like you all apply wolf pack theory in your day to day lives.

Anyway i dont care i hope the op sorts out his problem despite the wolves around.

But seriously i dont know why what i have said has you so up in arms, I just think the OP should ignore the dog, like a good pack leader would.

Yes please read into that all the perceived threat you can, please twist it anyway you want, i was writing a suggestion to the OP not to you.

Jay