Cannot pet or pick up puppies

K

Kirby

Forums Novice
As I stated in the "Hello" Forum we have two sheltie pups, Bonnie and Stella. They are 12 weeks and we have had them for two full weeks. They were very shy and reluctant at first but slowly they have come closer and now will come up and touch and lick our hands but if we attempt to reach out to pick one up or pet one they shy away.

In an effort to overcome this we have been picking them up after they lay down in their crate for a nap and holding them and loving on them for several minutes. We have been doing this for several days and I think it may be helping. Is this the right thing to do? Treats or just a dangling hand will get them to our hands but then they shy away.

Any tips or help will be appreciated.

Kirby Benson
Las Cruces
 
Welcome to the Forum to you and your wife, Kirby! We're happy to have you. I'm delighted to hear that I'm not the only senior citizen still adding puppies to the household!

A few questions about your new additions. You didn't say whether they came from a breeder or what their situation was. Usually, puppies are very outgoing and eager to interact with people, unless they haven't been socialized at all. The good news is that at 12 weeks you have time to remedy this and it will be easier than it would be if they were a few months, or even a few weeks older.

You are doing the right thing. Your puppies need to learn that human contact is a good thing. You can add some high value puppy treats when you pick them up and hold them. Something like soft Buddy Biscuits works well. You'll find that as time goes on, they will look to you for more attention but it's a process, so be patient. Puppy school is a good idea, but wait until they're more bonded to you. Don't overwhelm them all at once. Having had Shelties, you probably know they're natually reserved and too much too soon can back them off.

Good luck with them, and please keep us posted!
 
Thank you so much Ann. It very perspective of you to identify what we have also decided is the problem. See next post:
 
Last edited:
Got messed up and message went unintentionally.

Thank you so much Ann. It’s very perceptive of you to ID what we think is the problem.
So it seemed the breeder was having an event in her life that made her move and she left her litters (2) with her mom to raise and sell. We believe mom didn’t really spend time working with the pups. They are really just now learning how to be with humans.

Your answer is informative and encouraging.

I believe they are heathy good quality pups. They came from AKC parents
We are strictly looking for companionship and pet dogs

Thank you, kirby
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ann
The other thing you might try is do not come in over them with your hand (that can be scary for them) Instead come in sideways then if you need adjust your grip after you have them under the belly. Angus LOVES people but still does not like people to try to pet the top of his head right off and he is one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ann
That would certainly explain it, Kirby. The period from 16 to 20 weeks is very important in terms of socialization for a puppy's development, although we actually begin working with puppies at 3 weeks of age to introduce things like different sounds, floor textures etc. It may help to purchase a CD of sounds to play for your two. I've used it and it does help introduce them to sounds they're not likely to hear in your house -- city sounds, street sounds, crowds and more. This is one that I have. The only sound on here all my dogs really hate is the cats howling!

The second "fear" period occurs between 6 and 14 months of age, so you have plenty of opportunities to continue your puppies' socialization. Training classes are great during this period.

In the meantime, keep doing what you are now. Patience, time and lots of love will really bring your puppies along. Good luck!
 
Yep that explains it. My Asta was raised by a newbie co-owner of the bitch, and she did not expose them to anything so none of the pups were interested in people when we saw the litter; it was quite concerning. The breeder assured us our girl would settle in, but we actually left without taking her because we were so concerned. Breeder than isolated her from the litter for an hour, and when she went back, Asta leaped into her arms! So we went back the next week and got her. Only took two days for her to learn her name and decide we were her people.

It might be a thought to separate them occasionally and work with them one on one. That way they have to focus on you as their source of comfort instead of their sister. They will come around but it will take a bit of time if they are that shy.
 
Sharon7 said:
It might be a thought to separate them occasionally and work with them one on one. That way they have to focus on you as their source of comfort instead of their sister. They will come around but it will take a bit of time if they are that shy.
Click to expand...

This. Definitely this! And just keep loving them. Also- search through this and see Woodbender's posts about Claire. It will serve as inspiration.
 
I totally agree with the idea to separate the pups while you were working with them. Another option is to make sure you’re hand feeding them. It might take a couple days but they will start to learn that hands equal good things.
 
Thank you everyone for your help. We take your suggestions to heart and feel we are making progress. We have some other questions but will start a new thread for those.

Thank you,
Kirby
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top