Puppy is very scared and afraid

Question
I have 2 1/2 months mixed breed puppy whose so scared and afraid of being picked up. Everytime we get close to her she curled her self up and back away from us. What can we do to help her and overcome her being scared and afraid? We cannot play with her because of her being so afraid.

Answer
My attitude in raising dogs is that the more one doesn't like something, the more it must be done. You and your family members must *totally* force yourselves on this puppy and handle her as much as possible.

Put her on a collar and leash so that she cannot get away from you, and every time you think of it, even if it is ten minutes later, go and get her and handle her.

I had a puppy come to me like this many years ago to be "fixed", and he had learned that if he ran away screaming that everyone would leave him alone; he HATED being touched (think autistic... I always called him my autistic dog). Yours isn't a lot different as she didn't get proper handling/socialization by her breeder.

I put a collar and leash on Konnor, and whenever I thought of it, I would go to him and do my "jolly routine" on him.... loudly talking to him in a happy voice, telling him what a good boy he was, as I cupped my hand and sort of thumped on his body.

You need to do the same thing, but in a more gentle fashion. Carry the puppy around (hopefully she isn't too large), give her belly rubs, snuggle her, etc. Completely FORCE yourself on her. Inundate her with your attention.

Also be sure that she is handled by strangers a LOT, and have everyone give her goodies to eat. If you work hard with her, she should improve, although she will never be the dog she could have been because of lack of early handling.

Karen