A new baby but a little timid and shy, hints and tips needed.

G'day guys,

Well this is my first post here as I have just received my new boy who is a little timid and shy to say the least. Now I have only had this little guy for about 4 days and I understand that for him to settle in and come to terms with his new life will take a few weeks. However, he doesn't seem to like playing, he kind of crouches down when you come up to him, but he does love a pat, he wont run at all instead he sort of crouches and waddles with his head and tale down when he comes towards you or getting around the yard, he will just come up to me and crouch to a sit and all he likes to do is lay on the carpet and sleep, he is a podgey little thing as well. I'm a bit worried about the crouching walk instead of being able to run.

He is about 5-6 months old as the breeders kept him a little longer because the mother ran out of milk so they raised him themselves so i'm thinking he has not been socialised very well or learnt certain behaviours from his mother. Also he doesnt seem to know or like anything other than puppy biscuits, I've started to get him into mince trying to open up his tastes and he is slowly taking it but anything else he just doesnt like, no treats, he wont take a treat from my hand, no hard dog biscuits, no bones etc. at 5 to 6 months i would think his tastes would be a little broader than just biscuits.

If you would like any more info or have any questions please feel free to ask as the more information and help I can get the more effort I can put into this little guy. He is totally opposite to my last boy who was outgoing with everybody, loved to play and have a ball. I have searched the internet for info however I would appreciate the input of people who have actually had problems like this and can help me and "Sun" on the right path. I cant say I have ever seen a staffy that is like this fella so I'm hoping he will come around and get that outgoing bubbley staffy personality in time

Also this is probably a bit of a stupid question but his tail never seems to raise to the "pump handle" position, it is always held right down tight against his rear end and only the tip of it will wag. does this happen to some staffies? is it a problem? or will it in time begin to raise?

Thanks for your input guys,

Nathan...

Hi &

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All dogs are a bit different and will react in different ways to new homes. We got Suki at around that age and I think this was a good thing because she got to spend more time with her pack and as a result was more socialized.

I'm sure he will warm up to you and start to show personality soon enough. Having his tail tucked just shows shy or submissive behaviour. He will learn to trust you soon enough. Try to not overload him with affection and just let him come to you naturally.

Here is a link about more body language so you will know what things mean

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/dogbodylanguage.html

Hi & welcome!

His tail's down because he's anxious. That's why he sort of crouches when he comes towards you. Some dogs take quite a while to settle into a new home once they're beyond the really young puppy stage. He could be wondering what the hell's happened to his old owners!

Have you asked the breeders what his behaviour was like when he was woth them?

Be patient & keep trying to bring him out of his shell. If he hasn't been socialised with humans properly, and has spent most of his time with his mother, then he probably hasn't learned how to play with things like balls & tug toys. Keep trying to engage him in fun & he'll start to learn soon!

Have you taken him out for walks yet? If so, what's he like outside?

Hello and welcome looking forward to seeing some pics

Have you asked the breeders what his behaviour was like when he was woth them?

The breeders said that he was a very affectionate and loving boy and that he liked to get out and play with the other dogs in the pen. The raised him themselves as the mother ran out of milk so they bottle fed him and kept him a little longer than they normally would.

Have you taken him out for walks yet? If so, what's he like outside?

I havent taken him out for a walk yet, I have only really put the collar on him and am getting him used to that before I stick the lead on him. if I give a little pull on the collar he is unsure of it and tries to struggle away a little bit so I am going to put a lead on him for a few days and let him drag that around starting with a shoe lace and moving my way up to the lead.

Hi Nathan and welcome.

Did the breeders not walk him? At 5 or 6 months old, he should have been walked and be used to the lead. It sounds like you'll have to put extra time and love in with this little guy but it'll be worth it.

Also, can the breeders not give you his D.O.B so you know exactly how old he is?

Did the breeders not walk him?

I dont believe they did walk him, he has no idea what the lead is all about and gets scared when I put it on him, he just sits stiff as a rock and wont move, I try to put a little pressure on trying to get him to walk a bit but it doesnt work. I have attached the lead and am leaving it on him untill he gets used to. Ill take it off at night and put it on the next day.

he was also born on the 4th of june so he is 6 months old.

he has started to run around and play a bit, still wont play with toys, but he will run behind me if I run up and down the yard, he is slowly coming around, I just want to be able to walk him.

I wouldn't leave the collar & lead on all day to start with - see my post on the other thread.

Hi.
I'm not sure wether I did right or wrong with my pup, but it worked! (she was also only 12 weeks old when I did this and we had her at 8 weeks, so her trust was already there).
Anyway, she was fine with the collar and lead except when you held the lead in the house. We couldn't even get her to walk out the front door. So I picked her up and carried her up the street abit (i live in a pedestrian area, so no cars) and plonked her down. After 5 minutes of gentle tugging and still she lay flat on her belly legs outstretched refusing to move! She reminded me of my daughter first time out on her reigns ... so I did the same to the pup as I did to her.... I left her lol! I dropped the lead to the floor and walked away from her. Every couple of steps turning to call her, it took hiding behind a wall for 5 minutes for her to finally get up and run after me. I praised her, picked up the lead and she has been fine ever since! We now have a pulling issue as she wants to be everywhere lol!!

Cheers for the tips guys, he is starting to come out of his shell a little now and he is a good lil thing. Just trying to train him to pee outside, trying to get him to play and still trying to get him used to the lead, he still refuses to budge with lead. Well get there...

Let him outside every hour or so and give him lots of praise when he uses the bathroom. If he has an accident don't yell or try to correct him unless you catch him in the act. Normally just clean it up so there is no smell.