Intro and Advice Needed-Scared Biewer

[Asovey]

My name is Ann Sovey and I live in Michigan, right outside of Lansing. I am a retired school counselor and I now have a part time therapy practice. I also enjoy being a Life Expressions Consultant - but I am very new at this!

I have two yorkies. Cooper is 11 years old and my heart dog. He is diabetic but doing just great now! Two weeks ago I had to help one of my fur babies cross the Rainbow Bridge. That was Maggie and she was a rescue. Maggie was 13 when she passed and I had her for 5 years. So hard to let go but I knew it was the right decision.

So last week I found my new little guy - George. He is a Biewer Yorkie. When I went to see him at the breeder (a whole another story) I almost did not get him because he seemed so scared. The breeder said he was shy and very scared of strangers. By then, he had already captured my heart and I wanted to get him away from this woman.

George started his time with us by immediately slipping out of his harness and taking off. He ran through fields and woods for five hours before we finally caught him because he was cornered. He was so scared and shaking - wet and muddy. I got him a bit settled and the next day he darted out on to our high deck and jumped down 12 feet, got up and ran again. This time it took us over 24 hours to find him. He unfortunately spent a cold night outside.

He is now microchipped and has a harness with a tag. He has settled down over the past week and he is beginning to bond with me. He had never been on a leash, but he is now enjoying walks. He has become my velcro dog, but he is still very skittish. He sure is not sure of my husband. Any suggestions to get him more socialized with hubby? He seems to think he is protecting me and growls when hubby comes close to me. He is not a biter and I tell him no when he growls. Loud noises scare him. He gets along with Cooper - although they have been testing each other. He has been fixed but still doing some marking. At the breeder there was a doggie door but not here. He will use a puppy pad but seems to hit the edge. I am now taking him out about every hour till he learns our routine.

I am not sure what this breeder did with him - or better yet didn't do with him - but he sure will need more socializing. Any tips will be greatly appreciated because every other pup I have had have been very social! This is new for me!

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and welcome to YT !

So sorry for the loss of your Maggie.

How old is George? His behavior sounds very, very odd if he is an adult and I can't help but wonder what the heck has happened to him if he's an adult at this point.

If I were you, I'd obtain the help of a good trainer for George, someone who truly understand shy dogs and how to help them gain confidence. The growling thing is called "resource guarding", so I'd google that term for suggestions.

[Asovey]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi and welcome to YT !

So sorry for the loss of your Maggie.

How old is George? His behavior sounds very, very odd if he is an adult and I can't help but wonder what the heck has happened to him if he's an adult at this point.

If I were you, I'd obtain the help of a good trainer for George, someone who truly understand shy dogs and how to help them gain confidence. The growling thing is called "resource guarding", so I'd google that term for suggestions.

He is 2 1/2, three in,July. He is getting better, but slowly. I do know a good trainer that I have used in the past. Since I have only had him for a week, I will give him some time.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Ann
Cooper and George

[mybellababy]

I would have your husband load his pockets up with treats small ones even cut small ones tiny and every time George come close offer him a treat . Make it a special treat one he only gets from hubby. And talk in a very soft voice with gentle touch . Maybe George will come around .

[Asovey]

Originally Posted by mybellababy

I would have your husband load his pockets up with treats small ones even cut small ones tiny and every time George come close offer him a treat . Make it a special treat one he only gets from hubby. And talk in a very soft voice with gentle touch . Maybe George will come around .

Yes, we have been doing this and it has helped a bit. He still will not take the food directly from hubby, but he will eat it if he lays it on the ground in front of him.