my new golden seems uninterested

Question
QUESTION: I just purchased a golden retriever yesterday and he seems unusually uninterested. He DID live in a barn before I bought him so indoor life is new. When I purchased my blue heeler puppy 8 months ago, he was the runt, sickly, and unsocialized but immediately began following me everywhere, right at my feet. I picked up my new golden yesterday and he mostly sleeps or lays quietly. He does not explore at all. He wags his tail at my fiance and I but if we need to pick him up he runs and hides. Today we brought the two dogs to a field and while my blue heeler played and romped my new puppy sat 200 ft in the distance right near our parked car, not caring how far away we got from him. I was trying to test to see if he would follow me but he would not. When we walked towards him he ran away. I have never had a puppy that didnt want to be by my side, even from the first day. Should I be worried or is he just trying to warm up?

ANSWER: How old is the puppy?  If it is maybe 6-10 weeks old, there may be hope.  If it is less than 6 weeks old, or more than 12 weeks, the breeder is a shyster.  Try to get your money back.  If you are stuck with it, post back and I will do what I can to help.  Neglect between 6-12 weeks may be permanent.  

I have not actually read the noted behaviorists Fuller and Scott or Pfaffenburger, but have read quotes from their work in dozens books including the Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of new Skete. ''...pups raised without human contact would show fearful reactions to humans at five weeks of age but could readjust over 2 weeks time if handled often, Puppies first exposed to human contact at twelve weeks of age, however immediately reacted very fearfully and fled from the experimenters. They acted essentially like wild animals and were socially irretrievable. They had missed the vital contact during the critical period.'' p 43, First Edition.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He is 12 weeks old right nw. He seems friendly enough when he is laying next
to me but is shy when ou stand over him and try to pick him up. I think by
other bouncy 8 month old puppy may be making the transition a little more
difficult but I have never seen a puppy that just doesnt DO anything  Just sits,
sleeps, eats or drinks. Nothing else. He rolls on his back for an occasional
belly rub but that is the extent of it. No exploring, no playing, no chewing or
anything. He seems like he just wants to sit and be left alone forever. The only
explanation I can think of other than shyness, is that he is sick.

Answer
It is really sad to see a Golden like that.  Perhaps a vet check is worth while.  I nearly always suggest one for behavior problems.

These exercises can help bonding:  

''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.