shy maltese...maybe a little too shy...

Question
QUESTION: Hello there.  I just bought a Maltese puppy at the age of 6 months.  The woman who I bought it from said he was very playful and needs a lot of attention.  As I take him home, he sits frozen all day literally.  It is the second day in this new home and environment indoors and he just sits and sleeps.  When awake, I let him sit on the floor and he just sits there with his head down low and tail between his legs like I am gonna do something bad to him.  I feel so bad for him.  I like to think that he may need to adjust to the new surroundings.  Here are some facts though... he came from a home with many other dogs including pugs and he was considered the "baby (youngest)".  He was housetrained before, but the woman said that he lost the manners and then started to spend most of his days outdoors.  she says he is really playful, but once she handed the dog into our hands, his head lowers down.  Also, I have tried to introduce him to other pets including a hyperactive shih tzu mix at 3 months.  The shih tzu mix would bark in his face and he would do nothing back.  He would just sit there and literally freeze.  The weird thing is that when he is alone and nobody is watching, he would only then start to slowly walk around a little.  I don't like to think he was poorly socialized.  He has been living in a home with other pets before, but I don't understand why he still shys away from other dogs.  Please help me. He is really cute.  How can I help him be more active?  I want to see his tail docked up real soon.

ANSWER: Hi there, ok after reading your letter i have a few theories. I think he is scared as you mentioned he has only spent the second day in your care, obvously longer now. I believe that he is still scared just imagine he has been taken away from everything he has ever known to come to live with a stranger. Also he is six months old so he realises the change more than a new pup at eight weeks etc try this. Make sure he has his own teritory eg a nice basket buy him some new cuddly toys not ones from other dogs as he needs to feel they are his also som Raw Hide. Give him lots of cuddles let him know you love him use certain words each time you see him such as hello darlin hello really nice lol and keep picking him up and cuddling him my maltese loves kisses and cuddles Maltese thrive on affection take him wherever you go and let him know your his mum. Honestly it will work hell be a little monkey in a few weeks please dont worry. just imagine how you would feel its natural and also i dont expect you to devote yourself to him 24/ 7 but let him know your there.
Good Luck do let me know what happens wont you.
I feel for him poor little baby boy give him a cuddle from me lol.

sorry Ronald let him know your his dad lol not his mum! lol

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the response.  It's been about a week now since I first got my 6 month old puppy.  To be honest, he seems to find his confidence in me and only me.  It seems as if I am his only friend because he gets shy when meeting other people including my own family.  I have a lot of alone time with him esp because he only follows me everywhere I go [which I am really enjoying :)]...
There was this one time when I was at my aunt's house a few hours ago... He was being kept inside the house while I was out at the backyard.  A few times he would find a way to run out the front door and through the front deck and I would see him come running into the backyard towards my direction.  He did that a few times before I made sure he stayed inside.  Well as soon as I was finished, I went into the house and found him sitting in the corner in the room filled with unfamiliar faces.  I was obviously among these faces because he ran out the front door and into the backyard in hopes of finding me.  So I ran behind him and when he saw me, he sat down and waited for me to pick him up.  That was a moment to remember.  Just thought I would share that with you :)!
Well so far my pup's personality is breaking out of its shell quicker than I can imagine, although I am the only one who can say that.  He seems to be lightening up to me and only me.  What steps would you recommend me taking to have him well socialized with other people... or my family at least?  I just wish other people can see the playful puppy that I see.  I don't want him to be afraid of meeting new people all his life.  Is the shyness going to fade?  Thanks again for your help!
ANSWER: See hes coming out of his shell lol.
they all have different personalities lol my little boy follows me everwhere too and he hates anyone coming to see me he really barks so i would say for you to avoid this try to get him used to visiting other family etc handling him, and if your going out why not ask them to pupsit lol.
I dont advise dog parks etc if he has not found his confidence yet however they can be more daunting for the owner lol i used to scoop my pup up if a dogcame near him.
he sounds wonderful please keep me informed of your progress.
Thanks Luci ps
what is his name?

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

QUESTION: Thanks again for your advice.  I am rarely away from the little guy because I need to make sure he is alright, but making other people "pupsit" sounds like a good way for him to get used to people.  Oh, I'm sorry his name is Prancer.  He was shy at first, but now that he's lightening up to me, you can see he is living up to his name :).  Yeah, I would hate it if he barks at anyone who comes near me... luckily he would just stay calm (for now lol).  In the meantime, I'll let you know how he's doing with "socializing".  Thanks again! Also... his ears are kinda smelly.  I have plucked the hair from the canal and have removed most of the wax buildup from inside with a regular cotton swab, but I can still smell the odor.  I have bought pet ear cleanser cotton swabs with a deodorizer, but when I use it to clean his ears, he gets frisky like it stings... but it contains no alcohol.  The directions tell me to "apply around the ears"... what does "around the ears" mean?  When I used it, I applied it in his ear (but not inside the canal).  How would you recommend applying this?  I am starting to get bothered because it gives him this "doggy" smell.

Answer
Hi there what a loveley name.
Regarding the ears clean just inside the opening with johnsons Baby oil or some other reputable brand but be careful not to let him out in the sun with it or he may get burnt lol.
but keep an eye on this as maltese can often have problems with their ears if it persists i first suggest calling your vet for advice, try to take him there as little as possible lol because remember it is where ill dogs go and is not a good environment for a healthy dog
Good luck.!