Anyone else with a shy Yorkie? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Britster · 08-24-2009, 10:29 AM

Just curious? Anyone else got a shy Yorkie on their hands?

Jackson is kind of a funny animal, LOL. He's never un-friendly per say (never any snapping, biting, not a lot of barking, etc) he just prefers you to keep your distance if you're a stranger. For example... if a stranger comes into the house, he's much happier when they just don't pay attention to him. He likes to go up and sniff the stranger, but the minute the stranger bends down to pet him, he backs away. He never shakes or anything, he will still wag his tail, sometimes his ears will be back though like he's maybe a little nervous. But basically, he will not let a stranger pet him ever. He WILL take treats/food from strangers - I've tried letting the guest give him a treat, Jackson will go up, take the treat and run away.

On the other hand, if it's people he has met before, he will LOVE you to no end! When you walk in the door, he's sooo excited to see certain people, gives love, etc. It's the people who he sees either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis that he's absolutely fine with. My parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, close friends, etc. He will love them, lick them, go up to them, let them pet him, no problemo. However with dogs, he loves EVERY dog he encounters. He's not really shy around dogs.

Sometimes I just wish he was friendlier with people and would allow people to pet him that he doesn't know, but I guess it's not always a BAD thing that he doesn't go up to everyone. I just didn't know if this was considered a "Yorkie" thing, a personality thing, a small dog thing, or if it's MY fault and there's something I could be doing differently. I grew up with larger dogs, a Golden Retriever at that, and she was always just so friendly to guests and never dealt with this issue.

chachi · 08-24-2009, 10:35 AM

My Jewels is that way I dont know if I should describe her as shy or cautious. She is that way even with our neighbors that are in the house regularly. After they have been in the house awhile she warms up to them.

Britster · 08-24-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

My Jewels is that way I dont know if I should describe her as shy or cautious. She is that way even with our neighbors that are in the house regularly. After they have been in the house awhile she warms up to them.

Yes! Cautious could be a better word!

lovespandp · 08-24-2009, 10:45 AM

I wish Peanut was a little shy!! He goes up to anyone and everyone!!! If someone is walking by us Peanut will assume they want to pet him and pay attention to him and Peanut will get on his hinde legs and start to wave with front legs...

EXOTICYORKIES · 08-24-2009, 10:46 AM

I love shy dogs as long as they are not timid i think there sweet lol

Krystee · 08-24-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

Just curious? Anyone else got a shy Yorkie on their hands?

Jackson is kind of a funny animal, LOL. He's never un-friendly per say (never any snapping, biting, not a lot of barking, etc) he just prefers you to keep your distance if you're a stranger. For example... if a stranger comes into the house, he's much happier when they just don't pay attention to him. He likes to go up and sniff the stranger, but the minute the stranger bends down to pet him, he backs away. He never shakes or anything, he will still wag his tail, sometimes his ears will be back though like he's maybe a little nervous. But basically, he will not let a stranger pet him ever. He WILL take treats/food from strangers - I've tried letting the guest give him a treat, Jackson will go up, take the treat and run away.

On the other hand, if it's people he has met before, he will LOVE you to no end! When you walk in the door, he's sooo excited to see certain people, gives love, etc. It's the people who he sees either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis that he's absolutely fine with. My parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, close friends, etc. He will love them, lick them, go up to them, let them pet him, no problemo. However with dogs, he loves EVERY dog he encounters. He's not really shy around dogs.

Sometimes I just wish he was friendlier with people and would allow people to pet him that he doesn't know, but I guess it's not always a BAD thing that he doesn't go up to everyone. I just didn't know if this was considered a "Yorkie" thing, a personality thing, a small dog thing, or if it's MY fault and there's something I could be doing differently. I grew up with larger dogs, a Golden Retriever at that, and she was always just so friendly to guests and never dealt with this issue.

I could have posted this entire thing myself. lol. You just described Tobie to a T... I think Jackson and him would be best friends!

Tobie has never growled, snapped or barked at anyone but if a stranger comes up to pet him, he will back up or move his head. I always feel so bad because the person is all smiling.. "look at the cute puppy" and then when he backs up their smile changes to a frown and it looks like they feel like they just got dissed. lol

Tobie also LOVES all other dogs and will go right up to them and want to play and give kisses. lol.

I'm glad he's not the only one that does this... I've been trying to do things to get him to be more friendly but maybe it's just his personality

maggiesmom_2007 · 08-24-2009, 01:07 PM

Leo is the shy one of my group. If he doesn't like you he will bark at you if your in our house. So far he only does this to my Sis in law and her hubby. I take him to meetups and he wants to be in my lap almost the entire time. My other two go off and do their own things til it's time to eat.

Britster · 08-24-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krystee

I could have posted this entire thing myself. lol. You just described Tobie to a T... I think Jackson and him would be best friends!

Tobie has never growled, snapped or barked at anyone but if a stranger comes up to pet him, he will back up or move his head. I always feel so bad because the person is all smiling.. "look at the cute puppy" and then when he backs up their smile changes to a frown and it looks like they feel like they just got dissed. lol

Tobie also LOVES all other dogs and will go right up to them and want to play and give kisses. lol.

I'm glad he's not the only one that does this... I've been trying to do things to get him to be more friendly but maybe it's just his personality

LOL, aww, well glad Tobie is like Jackson.

I was thinking he was the only one.

Shy might be a poor choice of words but I didn't know how else to describe it. He's a friendly little guy, he's very social when out with other dogs, like he would most certainly pick running around with dogs than sitting on my lap or something. It's just his thing with strange PEOPLE that I don't get but oh well.

manolos mom · 08-24-2009, 03:53 PM

Pablo is a very shy little guy, Maybe I should say Mommas Boy. He is like having a third leg, always walking right behind me.

Mysweetbabies · 08-24-2009, 03:57 PM

Rosco is the same way. He will only interact with my husband, myself and the kids. If any one else comes to the house he is very shy. He will sniff them and when they go to pet him he backs up. That is just the way he is

CouversMom · 08-24-2009, 04:40 PM

This describes Couver exactly!! I call him a dog lover, but not a people lover. He loves DH and me, but with strangers... he is very cautious! I don't know what it is, but I feel like he does not trust them fully or something.

I have a friend that he has known forever, and he has never gone up to her. She tries to pet him, and he backs away as if he is scared. He finally had a breakthrough the other day when we were driving, and he jumped onto her lap. It made her so happy

I think just it takes him a long time to warm up to people. He is still unsure of my mom! haha

I really wish he was more self-assured around people. It would make life a little easier!

jab · 08-24-2009, 04:53 PM

This perfectly describes Griffin Too!

Britster · 08-24-2009, 05:06 PM

Aw, thanks everyone for posting their stories, lol. I'm so happy to hear Jackson's not the only one like this!!

Lisa and Pic · 08-24-2009, 05:32 PM

You have also exactly described Piccolo's behavior around strangers. Can't believe how many members said their dogs are also like that. Wow. Glad you started this thread.

rentfrog · 08-24-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krystee

I could have posted this entire thing myself. lol. You just described Tobie to a T... I think Jackson and him would be best friends!

Tobie has never growled, snapped or barked at anyone but if a stranger comes up to pet him, he will back up or move his head. I always feel so bad because the person is all smiling.. "look at the cute puppy" and then when he backs up their smile changes to a frown and it looks like they feel like they just got dissed. lol

Tobie also LOVES all other dogs and will go right up to them and want to play and give kisses. lol.

I'm glad he's not the only one that does this... I've been trying to do things to get him to be more friendly but maybe it's just his personality

She just described Preston to a T also..... I always assumed it was due to Preston being a rescue, and maybe he didn't have enough human interaction prior to us getting him at five months. Once he has been around you for a bit, he will love on you to no end, but he has to come up to you. If you try to touch him first, forget it. As a matter of fact, he will still back away from me occasionally if I move too quickly towards him, and he is two years old now. He will NEVER let a stranger touch him, but would NEVER bark at, snarl at, or bite at someone for ANYTHING. Just very cautious with people he doesn't know. He never wants small kids to touch him either. He will always go hide from them. Everyone says his eyes look too human and that when he looks at you and you almost expect him to start talking to you. Every time my daughter has friends over, he will go push her door open and just stand there staring at her and her friends. They all say it is almost creepy. LOL Once he actually gets to know them, he does jump all over them and get excited to see them though. He also LOVES other dogs.
Paisley on the other hand, is a wild child, who loves everyone, thinks everyone loves her, loves all dogs, thinks they all love her, and goes full force through life with not a cautious bone in her body.
I love that Paisley is always so HAPPY, and loves everyone, but sometimes wish she were a bit more reserved like Preston.

08-24-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Anyone else with a shy Yorkie? Just curious? Anyone else got a shy Yorkie on their hands? Jackson is kind of a funny animal, LOL. He's never un-friendly per say (never any snapping, biting, not a lot of barking, etc) he just prefers you to keep your distance if you're a stranger. For example... if a stranger comes into the house, he's much happier when they just don't pay attention to him. He likes to go up and sniff the stranger, but the minute the stranger bends down to pet him, he backs away. He never shakes or anything, he will still wag his tail, sometimes his ears will be back though like he's maybe a little nervous. But basically, he will not let a stranger pet him ever. He WILL take treats/food from strangers - I've tried letting the guest give him a treat, Jackson will go up, take the treat and run away. On the other hand, if it's people he has met before, he will LOVE you to no end! When you walk in the door, he's sooo excited to see certain people, gives love, etc. It's the people who he sees either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis that he's absolutely fine with. My parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, close friends, etc. He will love them, lick them, go up to them, let them pet him, no problemo. However with dogs, he loves EVERY dog he encounters. He's not really shy around dogs. Sometimes I just wish he was friendlier with people and would allow people to pet him that he doesn't know, but I guess it's not always a BAD thing that he doesn't go up to everyone. I just didn't know if this was considered a "Yorkie" thing, a personality thing, a small dog thing, or if it's MY fault and there's something I could be doing differently. I grew up with larger dogs, a Golden Retriever at that, and she was always just so friendly to guests and never dealt with this issue. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

08-24-2009, 10:35 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	My Jewels is that way I dont know if I should describe her as shy or cautious. She is that way even with our neighbors that are in the house regularly. After they have been in the house awhile she warms up to them. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-24-2009, 10:45 AM	#4
lovespandp ♥Momma's Bambino♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 10,026	I wish Peanut was a little shy!! He goes up to anyone and everyone!!! If someone is walking by us Peanut will assume they want to pet him and pay attention to him and Peanut will get on his hinde legs and start to wave with front legs... __________________ "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so."

08-24-2009, 10:46 AM	#5
EXOTICYORKIES YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: GA Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 1	Awwwwwwwwww I love shy dogs as long as they are not timid i think there sweet lol __________________ EXOTICYORKIES WHEN ONLY THE BEST WILL DO

08-24-2009, 01:07 PM	#7
maggiesmom_2007 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,991 Blog Entries: 13	Leo is the shy one of my group. If he doesn't like you he will bark at you if your in our house. So far he only does this to my Sis in law and her hubby. I take him to meetups and he wants to be in my lap almost the entire time. My other two go off and do their own things til it's time to eat. __________________ Lori, Friday, Olivia, Miranda , Chanel and Casey

08-24-2009, 03:53 PM	#9
manolos mom Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 7,982	Pablo is a very shy little guy, Maybe I should say Mommas Boy. He is like having a third leg, always walking right behind me. __________________ Ethical Breeders follow and support http://www.ytca.org/

08-24-2009, 03:57 PM	#10
Mysweetbabies YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,236	Rosco is the same way. He will only interact with my husband, myself and the kids. If any one else comes to the house he is very shy. He will sniff them and when they go to pet him he backs up. That is just the way he is __________________ DaisyRoscoBo

08-24-2009, 04:40 PM	#11
CouversMom and Khloe Mae's too! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 14,732	This describes Couver exactly!! I call him a dog lover, but not a people lover. He loves DH and me, but with strangers... he is very cautious! I don't know what it is, but I feel like he does not trust them fully or something. I have a friend that he has known forever, and he has never gone up to her. She tries to pet him, and he backs away as if he is scared. He finally had a breakthrough the other day when we were driving, and he jumped onto her lap. It made her so happy I think just it takes him a long time to warm up to people. He is still unsure of my mom! haha I really wish he was more self-assured around people. It would make life a little easier! __________________ Michelle- mommy to Couver and Khloe Mae! http://yorkiehavenrescue.com/

08-24-2009, 04:53 PM	#12
jab Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: burton,mi Posts: 21	This perfectly describes Griffin Too!

08-24-2009, 05:06 PM	#13
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Aw, thanks everyone for posting their stories, lol. I'm so happy to hear Jackson's not the only one like this!! __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

08-24-2009, 05:32 PM	#14
Lisa and Pic ♥ Piccolo & Vivi ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 14,311	You have also exactly described Piccolo's behavior around strangers. Can't believe how many members said their dogs are also like that. Wow. Glad you started this thread. __________________ Lisa, Dixie, and Jazzy (RIP Piccolo and Vivi)