[Lannia]

Hi everyone,

i've just got this new toy poodle puppy from a registered breeder and he is 10 weeks old.. he is really shy and scared of me but not to my other dog at all (luckily).. at home i already have a maltese/shihtzu pup and he is 5 months old, well socialized, potty trained and not showing any aggressive behaviors. I live in a big 2-stories apartment so we can't take our dogs to go potty on the grass. Instead, i use a peepad for my dog to pee and poop on the balcony (frequently cleaned) and it works with my first dog very well. However, i find it really hard to potty trained the new pup because he is overly scared of me and my boyfriend.. he just hides under the couch or table etc whenever we are approaching and when we're not paying attention to him he is normal again...

I find it really hard to train this new pup. i tried to wait until he pees outside after waking up and eating, and sometimes he pees but by the time i want to praise him and give him treat.. he is scared again and moving away from us... i do not know why he's so scared, but im really gentle treating him and not petting him on his head (i pet on his chin and chest, i also tried feeding him with my hand)

we also never punish or spank our dogs... i hope that his shy/scared behavior may go away eventually after we bond with him.. but how can i potty trained him? because every time we want to reward his good behavior he's scared of us.. :???:

[Lara's mom]

I find the fact that this puppy is so fearful very disturbing. Puppies that come from reputable breeders are well socialized and are not fearful.

Both of my Shorty Jack Russells came from the same breeder two years apart. Neither one showed the slightest bit of fear either during the ride home or at being introduced to my senior Border Collie X. I know a number of other people who have brought a puppy home from a reputable breeder and have had a similar experience. The puppies displayed a lot of curiosity but, they weren't afraid.

Frankly, I would have some serious questions for whoever you bought your puppy from. Something just doesn't seem quite right here.

As for training, right now I would concentrate on helping your puppy overcome its fear. That has to be the priority. He will probably feel safer if confined to one room at this point. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the floor at his level. Don't seek him out. Call him and make sure you have lots of treats; I find bits of cooked chicken work well. When he approaches you, reward him with both words and treats. If he will only come part of the way to you, reward him anyway. Eventually, he will lose his fear of you.

Don't raise your voice. You want every interaction he has with you to be a positive one. You won't have success with potty training until the puppy feels safe and comfortable with you. You're going to have to spend a lot of time with him but, if you persevere, it will pay off. Once your puppy feels confident with you in one room, slowly expand his area of the apartment.

When there are accidents, just clean them up and wipe the area with white vinegar. It will remove the smell of urine and discourage him from using that spot again. When he goes on his puppy pad which you will have to put in his room, give him loads of praise and treats. Slowly you will build up his confidence and will be able to get him to "do his business" where you want him to. Just keep in mind that it won't happen overnight. It will take time and dedication on your part to help the little guy overcome his fear.

[Bacis Dad]

I completely agree with Lara's Mom!
One thing I slightly differ in opinion, is when she does go on the pad avoid the praise right now until she is confident with you. We have to realize that sometime what we think is a reward is not actually reinforcing the behavior we want. In your case you try to praise your dog (reward) but your dog , right now, is fearful of this (punishment). So in a weird twisted sense you are actually punishing your dog, by involuntarily inducing fear, when they go on the pad.
My recommendation to you is instead of praising when she goes you just drop a treat and walk away, no praise no eye contact and try to keep the treats near there but far enough where you dont have to approach her. This will all change in time it just sounds like she was not socialized to humans and she will learn in time with the tips Lara's Mom gave you and her seeing your other dog being happy around you!
Good Luck

PS and keep up the hand feeding Every meal! That does help a lot!