New Yorkshire Terrier-Really nervous

pilly

Hi All,

So I've just adopted a Yorkshire Terrier that was found stray. She's about 6 months they think. Was very matted and underfed so not sure if she was abandoned or just lost.

Anyway, she's really really nervous, goes running at the slightest loud noise, shivers when I pick her up until I soothe her for a few minutes.

I've never had such a small dogs. My previous dogs have all been bigger and more robust.

Any tips on getting her to come out of her shell?

Also, she's not eating very much. Got both dry and wet food, she nibbles a bit and walks off. I've given her pieces of ham also and she'll wolf them down but don't want to give her too much of that in case it's bad for her.

DBB

Wow pilly, that is a big departure from the last fella, size-wise Well done you for helping this little one when she needed it.
There is one absolutely vital ingredient when it comes to nervous rescue dogs, and that's time.
She needs time to acclimatise, time to let her stressy chemicals dissipate (takes weeks), time to get herself back on an emotional even keel.
And in that time, she needs to be allowed to dictate who approaches her, and preferably leave it to her to do the approaching... Even if that means having to ignore the fact that she's stuck to the floor under the kitchen table... This gives her the time and space she needs to watch and learn and feel safe. If she's not allowed to do this at her own rate, that whole process of learning how to feel safe will take longer and longer.
Generally, dogs like her end up forming a very close bond with their owners, but may be nervous of visitors or novelty. So if you do have visitors (and don't discourage them or change your life around too much), let her watch them from afar if she wishes, and you give her pieces of ham in their presence.
You might consider getting some anxiety-reducing herbal or nutraceutical product, and also look up YouTube, and how to put a body wrap on a dog... This can be remarkably soothing for them
Food-wise, what brands have you tried of both dry and wet? You could boil up some chicken and veg for her too. But do remember, her tummy is teeny compared to your previous dogs... Probably the size of a large walnut (if a small Yorkie, satsuma-sized for a standard Yorkie)... It takes so little to fill it!
The very best of luck with her... I don't think you were planning on another dog just yet, were you?! Seems like she's just changed that plan:D

pilly

DBB wrote: »

Wow pilly, that is a big departure from the last fella, size-wise Well done you for helping this little one when she needed it.
There is one absolutely vital ingredient when it comes to nervous rescue dogs, and that's time.
She needs time to acclimatise, time to let her stressy chemicals dissipate (takes weeks), time to get herself back on an emotional even keel.
And in that time, she needs to be allowed to dictate who approaches her, and preferably leave it to her to do the approaching... Even if that means having to ignore the fact that she's stuck to the floor under the kitchen table... This gives her the time and space she needs to watch and learn and feel safe. If she's not allowed to do this at her own rate, that whole process of learning how to feel safe will take longer and longer.
Generally, dogs like her end up forming a very close bond with their owners, but may be nervous of visitors or novelty. So if you do have visitors (and don't discourage them or change your life around too much), let her watch them from afar if she wishes, and you give her pieces of ham in their presence.
You might consider getting some anxiety-reducing herbal or nutraceutical product, and also look up YouTube, and how to put a body wrap on a dog... This can be remarkably soothing for them
Food-wise, what brands have you tried of both dry and wet? You could boil up some chicken and veg for her too. But do remember, her tummy is teeny compared to your previous dogs... Probably the size of a large walnut (if a small Yorkie, satsuma-sized for a standard Yorkie)... It takes so little to fill it!
The very best of luck with her... I don't think you were planning on another dog just yet, were you?! Seems like she's just changed that plan:D

Thanks a million for that. Great pieces of advice there.

No, wasn't planning on another dog at all but saw her online and just fell in love, she has a lost look about her.

She is absolutely tiny so yeah I'm probably overestimating what amount of food she needs since I'm used to feeding bigger fellas.

Complete change for me, never had a small dog and never had a female.

I'm very much in the vein of leaving her to herself, you're right there. I do wrap her up in a throw when I pick her up though for the comfort. Was just a bit nervous of leaving her completely to herself and would that mean she'd never get used to human contact, you know what I mean?

I have very few visitors and no kids at home so it's nice and peaceful for her anyway. Cat is a tiny bit jealous but is just regarding her on high for the moment.

Beatty (I know, another strange name!) doesn't seem bothered by the cat at all even though the cat's bigger than her.

I'll stick up a photo when I figure out how to put one on here!

ace_irl

Pilly try putting a little bit of tuna in with her food every now and again. My dog stops eating when my dad or I go away and this always gets her back eating like normal!

The only cure for a nervous dog is time and patience so she can get use to you and her surroundings, especially since it's hard to know what she might have experienced in the past. I found with my girl talking to her a lot and and being very gentle helped calm her down and now nothing bothers her at all!

pilly

Here she is!

toadfly

She is gorgeous OP

volchitsa

She's so beautiful! I read about your other dog when you posted about him (but I don't remember what he was. Was he very big?) and I'm so glad you've found another companion so soon. She's so sweet!

aonb

Shes so cute, and if shes so scared and tiny, you've really done a wonderful thing by taking her on.

As others have advised, time will hopefully sort her out. If you have a quiet house, that will definitely help.

Would you consider something like this:

http://www.boredpanda.com/hoodie-cat-pouch-pocket-sweatshirt-mewgaroo/

(ignoring the daft bits, a friend of mine adopted a tiny little abused scrap, and carried him around with her all day for a few days until he settled a bit)

The fact that she is so small and fragile and nervous will probably tug your heartstrings even more. Hope she settles in very soon

Choc Chip

She's so cute!!!

I found time was the big thing I hadnt factored in with a nervous dog. Mine is still changing now, 18 months on.

I did find a great book on the effects of stress and fear on children if you want me to find the name (not to anthropomorphosise) and routine and control were the 2 major factors to give them a sense of security. DBB referred to control already and routine is meant to be great too as it gives a fearful dog (or person) a sense of safety as they know what to expect.

Also, I know my little one hates being picked up unless its on his terms. Yours might be different, but mine gets irritated by it unless he instigates it. ... I spend my life trying to resist so cos he's little and cute...

pilly

volchitsa wrote:

She's so beautiful! I read about your other dog when you posted about him (but I don't remember what he was. Was he very big?) and I'm so glad you've found another companion so soon. She's so sweet!

Thanks, last fella was a Springer Spaniel, not huge but in comparison to this little one it's mad. I'm afraid she's going to break. Before that I'd a cross between a lab and a terrier and he was as mad as a brush!

She's a little less nervous now but still not eating a great amount yet.

Went for our first walk today as she got neutered on Tuesday. She was happy out but definitely afraid of people and terrified of water!

She spends a lot of time on her own but I'm leaving her to it if that's what she wants.

I just hope she thrives now and starts eating more. Doesn't even seem to drink much.

Latatian

Be careful not to overfeed her, they really don't eat a lot. If she was underweight, then little and often is the way to go, and not too rich at all.