Bought a new yorkie pup but...

[AileyRyanne]

He is acting really skiddish, we had to fight him to get him in his cage, then this morning he would not come out of it, I just got him yesterday. The lady met me 1/2 way so I didn't get to see him in his environment, I just think his behavior is really odd. I try to grab him and he shys down and kinda wants to run off..... any suggestions?? Should I take him back? My other Yorkie is not like him at all.

 

[bubbatd]

How old is he ???? Wish you had seen the breeding facility . Sorry that you had to fight him into his cage . He needs alot of TLC.

 

[borzoimom]

Being a puppy with a temperment like that, you have a good chance to turn him around. How long have you had him? And yes- how old is he..?

 

[Maxy24]

And what was the breeder like? Did you go to her home and meet the parents? Did she tell you how she socialized the puppies?

 

[AileyRyanne]

His birthday is 3/20/2008 so he is already 3 months old. I just got him yesterday.

The breeder was just real quiet and calm person, she seemed alright but who knows, I wonder if maybe they just always kept him a cage or if they beat him? What do you guys think?

Do you think he'll turn around??

I feel bad for the little guy, I want him to be comfortable.

This is him we named him Chewy!!

 

[borzoimom]

He has only been in his new home one day. He has not even figured out the routine yet. Stick to a routine- be predictable and remain calm. Maybe he has never been in a little crate in his life. No clue what that box is- ie " is it a puppy eater"... Walk softly, gently, calmly and relax.

 

[AileyRyanne]

The lady said she should have brought the crate...so I am assuming he's been in a crate... it was crazy I mean he fought with all his might to go in there.. the cage was even moving backwards

 

[bubbatd]

At that age , you can have no idea what his past is . Poor baby !

 

[borzoimom]

Just because the pup " was in a crate" with her- that doesnt mean the pup has a clue with going in your crate. ie- it doesnt smell the same etc. Go back to step one in introducing the crate. Take the door off if you can not control the door might bang. Feed meals in the crate, cookie time in the crate. And always- when you open the door be calm and casual about it.
If the pup was raised with a wire crate, and you have a solid one, that could look intimidating to a pup. As well as the reverse. Find out what type of crate she used..

 

[AileyRyanne]

Alright, thank you guys for your suggestions!!

 

[Whisper]

Be calm around him. Instead of fighting with him try to gain his trust. Let him know you won't hurt him. To get him in crate can you tie a treat in the very back to lure him in there? I wouldn't lock him in the first time showing him the crate though. If that's what happened when I first walked into my kitchen after buying a new house I wouldn't go into the kitchen again, that's for sure.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

I wouldn't be shoving him in the crate--can you try to get him to go in with treats--or toys--put something he shows interest in there--maybe cooked chicken or something really desireable. Make the crate a safe place. Perhaps if it is wire try covering the sides with a blanket making it more denlike.

Do not chase him if he run from you--run in the opposite direction or keep calling him.

Do you think this pup could have been from a mill?

My dog Honey who is a mill rescue cowers to the ground when you go to pick her up, and also I have to say "come honey, good girl, come here, good girl yay" in a sweet voice for 2-3 minutes before she will scurry like a cockroach to my feet.

 

[AileyRyanne]

He has a plastic cage.

I didn't see this ladys place so he could of came from a puppy mill, I hope not, do you think he could change by being out now if so?? I took tomorrow off, and then have all weekend to be able to get to know him lol, I think he needs some extra attention!

He likes my other Yorkie at least she gets him to chase her n he plays with her..

 

[Maxy24]

I'm sue you'll be able to make him better, he may always be timid, but I'm sure you can help him to get over things much quicker. Just next time, look into the breeder better ok? You always want to see the parent dogs (at least the mother) and the facility or house where the dogs live. I agree with what others said, give him a choice but make him WANT to choose what you want. Throw a treat in let him run in and eat it, then come back out. If throwing the treat in does not make him go in all the way you could clicker train the behavior and work slowly, praising for slow progress into the crate (If you want more info on that please ask me!). Then teach a command word for it so you never have to push her, no one likes to be forced. Make her go in the crate several times a day without closing the door so she does not always think she is going to be locked in for a long time when you ask her in. Also have something in the crate for her when she goes in some of the time, a stuffed kong works well.

 

[Whisper]

Grood advice, GB and Maxy. Trust is a big issue with timid dogs. Millie has always had a timid, low-confidence type of personality, and it's taken a lot of games, training, determination, and most of all, patience, to build her confidence. She still has a very sensitive nature, but it's improved incredibly. I would never have tried to fight her to get in a crate. I've made mistakes of getting impatient, though, and set us back a few steps.

A couple of books that might help you are:
The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (includes a part about introducing a dog to a crate in a positive way, and also about things like resource guarding, etc.)
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell

 

[gallopingaround]

chewy sounds like he hasn't been socialized with anyone, like humans or animals that well. All I would do is talk to him, try to take him for some walks, pet him, exc; tell him that everything is ok.

 

[2dogmom]

Very good advice so far.
Don't force the crate. If he hates it that will only makes things worse. Put good things in there and don't close the door on him until you are 100 % positive he is calm and happy being in there.
Maybe he can learn to play and be a family pet from your other Yorkie. Sometimes dogs are the best teachers.
Good luck!

 

[girlbuffalo1]

Honey was like that too--very affectionate and wanting to play with our other dog but not with us. I would say it took her about 6 months to start to come out of her shell--like wag her tail at us and not look sad all the time--but even now that we have had her a years she still isn't "normal"

 

[Sch3Dana]

The temperament you are seeing at 12 weeks reveals a lot about what the puppy is genetically. Yesterday was an extraordinarily stressful day for him, so it's not unusual that he showed signs of stress, but some puppies would not, bc they are basically happy, confident, easy-going dogs. 12 weeks is a little old to get a pup, so you will need to get on his socialization right away- not that much time left to make a change. If you have a fairly regimented life, he'll probably adjust fine. If you have a lot of chaos and changing schedules and want to travel with him a lot, I would be more concerned.

I would certainly give him a couple of days to adjust, but be realistic about what your expectations are for him. If he is a dog who doesn't deal well with stress and change, you need to make sure you can provide him with a lifestyle that is not excessively stressful. With training he will certainly improve, but training a shy pup is generally not as effective as acquiring a confident pup and not training. Acquiring a confident pup and training is obviously the best option for most people. The shy pup, even with training will probably still show signs of stress anytime he is exposed to something new. For many people this just doesn't happen very often and the shy pup will work blossom in their predictable environment.

 

[AileyRyanne]

Alright guys I am giving you an update on my Chewy Luey! lol.

He is coming around sooo much! It's been a week now, he doesn't fight me to go in the cage, I have bought him his "own" couple toys to keep in there, so Ailey doesn't take them. He shys down a bit if you go to put out ur arm and pet too fast.. I hope that gets better I want him to be happy with us!

He's a total cuddle bug, when I take Ailey bye-bye I take him now, and he's getting use to it!! I'm happy!!


NOW POTTY training is another issue haha I have never trained a boy and boy can he pee n pee again and again.. he's pooping on my patio too.. he trys to go back inside to poop

Thank you everybody, your advice has helped me,
Stacey