[jsalmn]

We picked up our new puppy yesterday at 8 weeks old from a independent rescue site. He is scared of everything. When we try to walk him on his leash and leave the house or the backyard he whines and cowards backward.
If he meets anyone he he is frantic. He is also scratches and chews at his legs. I know it has only been two days but I have never had a puppy act like this before. Should I be concerned?

[Popcorn]

Hi try not to worry, if you have only just got him he is bound to be a bit nervous in the big world all on his own. Coming from a rescue kennels there will have been a lot of load noises and barking i imagine, this could of terrified or worried such a young puppy.

I personally don't put a lead on our puppies until there at least 12-14 weeks old, instead i get them use to following me around and recalling them to me, at such a young age the little pup won't want to let you out of his site so will follow.

take it slowly introducing him to new things sights and sounds, My OH starts ours off with noise training as soon as we had them at 8 weeks, he gets them use to all sorts of things around the house and the farm, like the lawnmower, chainsaws, strimers, i do the hoover, washing machine etc. the oh starts them on bicyle training once a little older so that they won't chace people on bikes, he gets them use to the bike from about 16 weeks

good luck with your little one, i'm sure he will settle in shortly :-D

Originally Posted by jsalmn

We picked up our new puppy yesterday at 8 weeks old from a independent rescue site. He is scared of everything. When we try to walk him on his leash and leave the house or the backyard he whines and cowards backward.
If he meets anyone he he is frantic. He is also scratches and chews at his legs. I know it has only been two days but I have never had a puppy act like this before. Should I be concerned?

Concerned? No. Proactive? Yes.

It may be a reaction to a new environment that he'll get over in a few days and that's that. Or, he may be a "shy K9" that will need long term desensitization to help him face the world. Time will tell.

I've posted several times about how to deal with a shy K9. Search the site under "desensitization".

Do not baby the puppy when he is afraid. That tells him "you are right to be afraid". Ignore fearful behavior; Praise brave behavior.

Do not force him to walk but DO praise and reward him for moving in the direction you want him to go.

Meeting people: NO TOUCH; NO TALK; NO EYE CONTACT

Tell people not to touch him, talk to him or look at him in the eyes. Have them sit on the floor with their back to him and let him sniff them (he'll probably sniff their back first). When he is facing them, they can slowly pet his body or under his chin but NOT HIS HEAD.

Do not force him to accept petting from strangers. The strangers can just get over it--they don't have to pet every puppy they see.

[Yogi]

at 8 weeks old this pup should really not even be out much as yet. It has not had all his shots. Leash training should start as noted more in the 12 to 14 weeks but socialization can start now with handling. At 8 weeks the pup probably has not been handled much and this should be done early to adjust to new smells and people. Good luck.

you shouldn't be worry. when i took my puppy home for the first time, he was scared and timid. but after a few weeks, he was starting to get to know everyone and his personality changed. he became playfull and friendly.

I had the same thing happen when I got my dog. I got my puppy way too early (only 4 weeks old) because he was orphaned and the family could not afford to care for the puppies. I was so afraid something was wrong with him because he was afraid of other people, other dogs, loud noises, etc. I think it is, as one other poster said, just that they are afraid of the new environment. I even took him to obedience training and he would not go near the other puppies at first. Towards the end of the eight weeks, he would sniff them but still run away when they acknowledged him.

I think you just have to get him around other dogs and other people. My aunt brought over her dog, and after 10 minutes, my puppy would not leave him alone! Now he cries when he CANNOT go up to other dogs, and he loves everyone. It is only temporary!

Your pup is still getting used to his new environment that's why he is scared. Build trust with your pup and let him socialize too step by step. Do not introduce so many things at once. Eventually your pup will be able to adjust to his environment.