How to make a new puppy feel comfortable?

Question

I picked up my Shiba Inu puppy from the breeder on saturday and she is very shy and fearful. She refused to eat until last night and is not playful at all. If someone besides me is near, she starts shaking. She goes potty in our yard okay and drinks water, but when I let her down she either gets under my bed or under the sofa. What can I do?! Im having second thoughts about what I have done =[

Answer 1

sit on the floor and let her explore her new surroundings once she feels comfurtable with them get her interested with a fun new toy another thing that helps speed up the process is a companion if she wasnt to expensive get her brother or sister too

i have two doags at the moment and its not much more work then one dog they play together so i dont need to always play with them as much

Answer 2

Having 2nd thoughts is totally normal. Don't let that deter you. You will be rewarded by your bond with your puppy. Just give it time.
If you don't have a crate, I would recommend getting one immediately. The dog will feel safe in it and it will also assist you with house-breaking. The natural instinct of the dog is to NOT go to the bathroom in it's bed. Just make sure the crate can be sectioned off because if it is too big, the dog will just potty on the other side.
Give her a week or 2 to get accustomed to you and her new home and then gradually start introducing her to new people. Shib Inus can be a little wary of people anyway. That combined with the fact that she is a bit of a nervous pup could be a recipe for a biter if you don't socialize her properly.
Good Luck. I'm sure you 2 will be best friends soon.

Answer 3

Shibas are difficult dogs. They're very strong-willed and the ones I've seen don't like being touched. They're more like cats than some cats are. I would have a crate for her, if you don't already, so that she has someplace to go that she feels safe. Put it in a different room, one that is quiet and doesn't have a lot of traffic. Maybe even cover it with a blanket so that she feels more secure. I would also have her in an x-pen so that she can't get under the bed or couch, puppies shouldn't run loose in the house it's an equation for trouble. More than likely the hiding is because she is looking for a dark, quiet place to act as a den. I would take things very slow with her. Fearfulness needs to be dealt with delicately. I would contact a trainer in the area, one that does positive reinforcement training not compulsion, and ask their opinions then get her enrolled in classes. I would also pick up the Ultimate Puppy Toolkit, it can be purchased online from urbanpuppy.com or from most pet stores. It will tell you everything you need to know about socializing and raising a puppy.

Also don't hold or coddle her as that feeds into fear. Act like there is nothing to worry about. Dogs feed off of our body language and therefore can sense if we are worried about something before we know we are.

The key to her is going to be taking it slow and classically conditioning her to accept new things and not be afraid. But this also could just be that she needs time to adjust to a new place.

Answer 4

I just got a new puppy too, she is a japanese chin (11 weeks old). At first I was just like you, I thought I made the wrong decision. She was shy too, didn't hardly eat, just slept the whole day. I thought she was sick or she didn't like me. I actually lost sleep over it because I was so worried I made the wrong decision to get her. I've had her for a little over a week now and she is a completely different dog. I took her to the bet to get a puppy checkup and her shots. My best advice would be to do the same thing to make sure she is feeling good and most importantly is healthy. Also, try going to your local petstore like petsmart and buy Nutri-Cal for puppies. If your dog isn't eating much, put a dab of it on your finger and she will lick it off. Dogs love it and it's good for them. It gives them energy and helps build their appetite up. Also, I would recommend spending as much time as you can with your new pup. It will take them a while to adjust. Let her get use to you before you socialize her with other people. Hope that helps and good luck!

Answer 5

When I get a new puppy I make it a bed for her to sleep in and at night I fill a water bottle with warm water and that makes her comfortable. I think it gives her the impression that someone is next to him and that he is safe. I also touch her and make her feel at home by playing with him and holding him. I suggest that you wait to introduce her to other people until she is used to her new surroundings. It takes time to get used to something new so just be patient. Shibas are very intelligent and loving so she will probably get used to you in no time. I hope the best for you and your new puppy... :)

Answer 6

You have to remember that, she has been suddenly taken away, from her mom and her siblings. She is in a brand new environment and around new people. She's very scared and confused. It's going to take some time, for her to adjust to everything. Let her come to you, until she knows, she can trust you. Just keep trying to play with her, and give her tons of love and attention. Make sure she has a variety of toys to play with. Just give her a little time, and she will be fine, believe me. Don't give up on her!