OMG poor yukon!!!!!! What an assfor doing that to a helpless dog though!!!! Urgh! And a trainerand breeder at that! How awful!
As for Yukon, it'll be easier on him if no one leans over himor pets the top of his head (both dominating positions that dogs learn to accept eventually as non-threatening). It'd be best if anytime people want to pet him they don't go to him but rather, sit or kneel or lay right down and call to him softly armed with treats as reward for coming over. He needs to choose to go up to people on his terms in order to build confidence. I'd also recommend doing about 15mins of t-touch and/or massage with him every day if you can spare it. This helps them relax and remind them how wonderful attention is. Especially with t-touch you can really feel the muscles relax and the dog mellow out as you work along.
If Yukon cowers just crouch lower and keep still and wait. Dogs are naturally curious, especially puppies so eventually he'll want to come see what you got going on. Don't baby-talk to him and fuss him up as this will only reinforce the behaviour. Keep your eyes averted from his eyes so as not to make eye contact or threatening postures accidentally.
Perhaps if you got a brand new different-looking crate you could work on getting him used to that as if he'd never seen one in his entire life. Like if you had a wire one, get a plastic one.
As for Yukon, it'll be easier on him if no one leans over himor pets the top of his head (both dominating positions that dogs learn to accept eventually as non-threatening). It'd be best if anytime people want to pet him they don't go to him but rather, sit or kneel or lay right down and call to him softly armed with treats as reward for coming over. He needs to choose to go up to people on his terms in order to build confidence. I'd also recommend doing about 15mins of t-touch and/or massage with him every day if you can spare it. This helps them relax and remind them how wonderful attention is. Especially with t-touch you can really feel the muscles relax and the dog mellow out as you work along.
If Yukon cowers just crouch lower and keep still and wait. Dogs are naturally curious, especially puppies so eventually he'll want to come see what you got going on. Don't baby-talk to him and fuss him up as this will only reinforce the behaviour. Keep your eyes averted from his eyes so as not to make eye contact or threatening postures accidentally.
Perhaps if you got a brand new different-looking crate you could work on getting him used to that as if he'd never seen one in his entire life. Like if you had a wire one, get a plastic one.