need ideas for a scared 4 mo. boy

[jlo&brit]

Hey yall, my daughter just got a little boy yesterday. It was the boyfriend of a friend that had a friend that knew someone etc. .. type of thing. Anyway she got a phone call and within the hour she was on the interstate to go meet the girl who had this adorable 4 month old yorkie boy whom she had for only 1 day and wasnt able to keep him at her apartment. Well, we have him now and its really pitiful. He is so scared and I think the ppl kept him outside, bc thats the only place he feels comfortable. He was matted up, and smelled and had already had 2 bathes. He is so sweet though, he will lay on you and seems to want you, only if you pick him up. He will NOT come to you for nothing!! He hides under the table if you call him. (thats another thing we dont even know what his name was). They said he was crate trained. So I was thinking maybe hes not used to being free inside. Im clueless as to why he wont come to us but really WANTS us. Does anyone have any suggestions?
thanks so much

[puppy_Love08]

It sounds like the puppy was abused and/or had no training whatsoever (i.e., the owners never taught him to "come"). I would recommend a visit to the vet's office and then perhaps enrollment in a dog training class, such as what PetSmart offers.

[yorkiemalt]

I agree....a trip to the Vet is definitely in order. In the meantime, I would keep him somewhere where he feels safe.

If it's a crate, a bathroom...whatever makes him comfortable. Try and go slow..low voice and just keep reassuring him it's OK.

Poor little guy....

[TinyBit]

Some ideas on my link "very timid little girl"

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88312

[daso]

I would not jump to conclusions and say he was abused. The poor guy has been in 3 locations in 4 months, you just got him yesterday, be patient and give him time, he will come around in no time at all.

[jlo&brit]

He is definately going to the vet Monday. He is not socialized either, Lola is 8 months and all over him, he seems to want to play, but only for a second. Someone just knocked on the door and he barked! Yea!!

[Higgin's Mom]

Poor little guy just needs to learn to trust humans. Hold him and cuddle him as much as you can to reassure him. Play with him gently.

Maybe put him in an x-pen with a crate in it. A small space with a crate to retreat to for comfort. Higgins has a cat bed -- a soft foam cube with a round opening that has fleece and his blankie in it -- that he likes a lot.

(When we got Higgins as a baby, we were spending the winter in Florida in our tiny 17' Casita travel trailer. He loved it. When we finally travelled home to our real house in Maine, he was OVERWHELMED by the big house and kind of scared of it for several days. We sold our house and took to the road in our fifth wheel and Higgins was "home" in it for over two years. Then this February we bought another real house in Florida. I will never forget Higgins first day in the "great big" new house! He RACED around from one end to the other in sheer joy!)

[jlo&brit]

Originally Posted by TinyBit

Some ideas on my link "very timid little girl"

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88312

Thanks, yes there were some good ideas

[Nomiland]

Originally Posted by daso

I would not jump to conclusions and say he was abused. The poor guy has been in 3 locations in 4 months, you just got him yesterday, be patient and give him time, he will come around in no time at all.

I say ditto. Alexis came from another YTer, a very socialized home, yet it took her a few weeks to feel comfortable in our home. She was very skittish at first with our other two dogs (even though she was raised with other dogs) and would curl up and hide. Now she thinks she runs the place. It just takes time.

[livingdustmops]

Please just be patient with this little one. Usually it takes about 2 weeks before they start feeling safe and learning who they can trust. Make sure he has a safe haven to go to until he starts to relax and knows he is in his final home.

I have rescued many abused dogs and given time they will learn to trust again but I never push them to do something they are not comfortable with and I always make sure they feel safe.

[littlewhip]

Hi my joey acted the same way when i first got him, he was a rescue out of a basement he was 4 mths old also, the lady had bought him for her kids and they lost interest in him within the first month I really had no intentions of even getting another at that time but as soon as i seen him i knew i had to help this baby, he cowered so bad the first few months, always looked sad, it just takes time and love he will love you as soon as he knows you will not hurt him, joey had never even been outside till i got him, sorry so long i just wanted you to know he will come around, joey is 2 now and so loving best to you

[sondra2004]

Just set on the floor and talk to him in low voice.

[Yorkiekids]

It sounds like he was mistreated in his last home, or homes. Just keep trying to show him you love him. Put little treats near your feet when your sitting, and let him get them without touching him. Just tell him good boy until he sees he can trust you. Poor little guy.

[jlo&brit]

Thanks for all the input. He's already doing so much better. He does not want anything to do with the crate though. lol He still has diareah though, I hope his poor tummy settles quickly. He'll get checked out by the vet tomorrow.