timid Golden

Question
We just got a 6 month old golden female from a breeder.  They told us that she would be fine when we got her home she only needed time to get use to us.  I don't think that she had any interaction with humans other than someone putting water and food in her dish and leaving.  She is so afraid of everything and everyone.  If I sit on the floor with her and pet her she seems fine  I can go into the other room for 5 mins and come back out and she is backing away from me like I have beat her. I walk her on a leash in the yard she jumped down the steps( afraid of stairs# knocked me down and got loose last night, with the extend a leash flopping behind her she took off and I could not see to find her. # we live in the woods  I was so afraid that she would not come back or that she was hurt and could not come back, she did a few hrs later, and was sleeping on the front porch I had checked several times during the night  to see if she came back, I then had to crawl on all 4s to get close to here  so I could get her back in the house.  I was wondering what to do to make her feel like she was safe and at home. We have always had large dogs and small dogs for years so having dogs is not new to us we now have 2 female dachshunds that are not, so far, having any trouble sharing the house with her.  I just got her to eat from the dog dish I was hand feeding her.  I really feel sorry for her and don't really want to take her back to these breeders and wait for a 6 week old pup,  Please help us help her.  

Answer
A lack of early socialization is a real problem.  Don't expect quick results or for her to ever be the friendly Golden most are.  Yes, you would better off returning her.  I would even hesitate getting another puppy from the breeder.  If they neglected her the way it looks like they did, what other important things did they fail to do?  

It sound like you are doing what you need to do.  Be very gentle with her.  Try these bonding exercises.  ''Elevation for small puppies: Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up. He is facing you. Hold him for 15 seconds. Repeat until he no longer struggles. If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.

Cradling for small puppies: Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby. If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds. With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down: Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you. Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position. When he is quiet, praise him. Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position. When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work. It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual. I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective. You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too. Helps bonding. There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly. The latter cements your place as pack leader.  She may not want you to roll her over at first.  Don't force her.  Do what you can an dgive her time to build trust in her.