I just bought a puppy who is 13 weeks old. His prior home was a large kennel area that had other puppies his age in the same lot with him. He seemed to be very playful with the other puppies. Since arriving at his new home, he's very scared of everything - any sudden movements or sounds, being picked up, carpet, hard wood flooring - you get the picture. I'm worried because he isn't acting like any puppy I've ever seen. Most are very playful and curious, but he's very scared and reserved.

I dunno what it is about new rooms, but he is so scared of anywhere other than the living room and the small grassy area where he goes potty. Will he always be this scared of unfamiliar places? I just worry when I take him to new places he'll immediately freeze up and start trembling all over (like he does now if he's taken to any other room in the house).

I'm also worried because he doesn't seem to be bonding with me. Even though I lay in the floor and try to play with him for hours, he still seems very scared of me unless I'm laying in the living room floor and not making any sudden movements.

I've read a lot about socialization, but most articles say that the critical time is between 8 - 12 weeks. Is it too late for him? Does anyone have any ideas?

Has anyone had a similar experience? Most puppies are so exporative and bouncing off the walls. Tucker is very shy and scared. It's only been a a little less than a week, but I'm just very concerned.

Lastly, he runs and gets in his crate anytime he's afraid. Should I let him get out on his own or should I get him out? I don't want him to be scared his whole life

I'd say don't worry too much. Keep playing he'll come around. I have a 20wk old who was much the same initially (we got him at 4wks though). Now the only thing he is scared of is other dogs.
I rang around the puppy pre-schools early today and they wont take him because he is too old 8-12wks only (13wks though - they might make an exception).
I've found the more I take him for walks etc the better he gets with other dogs he now just cowers next to me and after I have pat the other dog and keep talking with him he will sniff the other dog even then sit very still again.
It will be a long process no doubt but one that has to be gone through.

Let the pup learn to trust you, let him learn where his food comes from and he'll love you. My pup comes to me for cuddles & walks but to my husband to play and playfight.

Let him find himself - everything is scary and new to him but he will settle down.

No he is not too old. The best thing you can do for this type of submissive behavior is to boost your little pups confidence. I can't ever stress that enough You'll notice it's a common point in my training. Normally playing and training are the best ways, but with a little guy who's this submissive I would say laying on the floor with him is the best idea.
Don't rub his belly (maybe even not the back of the neck... try it and see if he looks nervous), rub and pet his chest or feet. Exposing their belly is a way of telling you they surrender... make sure he knows you didn't ask him to surrender. If you spend a little time on the floor with him for the next week or so, then try playing a little bit. Pretty soon if the playing catches on, try training. Faux training can be used when they are REALLY little (stop at 4-5 months). Give them treats and praise for any little silly thing. If you can graduate into real training (sit, down etc) I would say he's on a good track to recovery.

Sounds like your lil guy wasnt well socialized as a pup. It will take time but yes, he can come out of his shell. It is best to do things at his pace. Do not push him into doing things that are fearful for him at this point. Get him to trust you and learn to love you. Just love on him and try to coax him out of his comfort zone but, This has to be done at his pace though. Once he starts to feel more comfortable, It is very imprtant for you to keep up the socializing. Short walks around the block, gaining distance every few days. Puppies take alot of time, especially when bought from a large kennel who doesnt have the time to socilaize there babies. That is really sad for the puppies and the owners, they don't know what they are missing!

Sorry for the double post. Anyhow....check out this site to help you learn about working with a scared dog.

Working with a fearful, scared or shy dog

With scared dogs love is not enough, you need to find rewards that trump the scary stuff. You should learn about triggers, thresholds, counter conditioning and desensitization. You'll find info about these on the website.Good luck!

just wanted to add that your puppy should have had his 2nd series of vaccines at 12 weeks however he should still not go anywhere or have visitors until they are completed at 16 weeks.

I agree, you should let him go at his own pace. unfortunately you were dealing with a puppy mill or back yard breeder type situation where these puppies are not socialized at all but you got him young enough that you should be able to overcome all that. good luck

Im going through almost the same thing right now. Please dont get me wrong I love my pup but I do wish I had gotten him younger. He was 14 weeks old when I got him and the only people/animals he had been around was his owners and his littermates. Hes about 80% still slowly coming around but outside hes 20% IF THAT. Its very frustrating. Most pups would be balls to the wall to go outside but him he just hates it so far. The only positive note is when we go out, I try to take him to neighbors that have dogs and then ge gets all excited and thats what I want to instill in him that whenever were out could be a whole new adventure. If I had to do this again I would get a pup as soon as he was ready to go at 8 weeks as I feel I wouldnt be having this problem that I have now.

dont worry he'll get used to it..

I had a cattle dog that I got from the pound at 3 months of age. She literally was afraid of her own shadow. She would cower at doors opening, at anything in an unexpected place (like a trash can put on the curb on trash day), at sudden moves, different ground surfaces, and extremely afraid of children and men.

Tips:
1. Don't pity the dog. Pity, especially in the form of babying or "oh, poor dear" will only reinforce the fear. When we "comfort" a dog as we would a scared child, the dog gets the message "I'm right to be scared!" Which obviously is not the message we mean to send!
2. Don't acknowledge fearful behavior. Watch for brave behavior (sniffing, smelling, approaching) and praise the devil out it!
3. Give the dog as much socialization and exposure to new things as you can in a calm, controlled manner.
4. No talk; No touch; No eye contact. Teach people who ask to pet your dog to not look the dog directly in the eyes, to pet under the chin not the top of the head, not to bend over it, and preferable, ignore the dog unless the dog makes physical contact with them. Do NOT force the dog to be petted by strangers! It is okay to tell people "No, you may not pet my dog. Please do not make eye contact with her. Just ignore her." (If the dog is afraid of men, ask a man to sit on the floor with his back to the dog and IGNORE THE DOG. Let the dog--hopefully--approach him on it's own terms...likely first from behind. DON'T let the man suddenly turn and start petting just because the dog sniffs him from behind! He should continue to ignore until the dog is making actual physical contact either from the side or front in a way to suggest acceptance of reciprocation and then be calm about the contact.)

Hopefully, your dog will overcome it's fears. My cattle dog came along way with this type of training but always remained afraid of men (men so want to prove that they are "dog magnets" that they have trouble with #4). I had a great relationship with this dog--working with her created a strong bond. I always had to be her advocate in a world that didn't understand how to correctly approach a dog.

She'll get used to it.. just spend more time with her..