Shy Chihuahua

Question
I have a 1yr old chihuahua. I got her in Jan. and she is scared of everything. I let her do what she wants, she sleeps in our bed, we have never scolded her, and yet she runs from us if we call her. I am at my wits end. Will she always be like this? I don't know what else to do. I only work 2 days a week so I am with her most of the time. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I have always had dogs for pets but they have never been scared of me. Thanks.

Answer
No, she won't be like this always.
someone has been mean to her, and she will need time to build up trust in people.
The Sheltie we took a little over a year ago was like that. He was skitterish of everyone, but he was terrified of children. He acted like he wanted to get to know the grandkids, and play with them, like our other dogs do, but if one of them took a step toward him, he would run and hide.
He needed a child to get him over it. Children where he was were allowed to be mean to him.
Our little grandson, Will, almost 4 when we got Laddie ,is an animal person, like his granny and his dad. He spends a lot of time at our house, and he wanted to play with Laddie, like he did our other dogs. I told him how to win Laddie over, and he spent several months, coaxing him.
He would sit on the floor, and call Laddie to him. He called him, sweetie, and baby, and spoke in a very gently,loving voice to him. Now Ladie hits the door screaming when the grandkids come, and he is as playful with them, as our other dogs are. He was a year and a half, and Shelties are a little skittish anyway, as are chihuahuas. Your little girl just needs a sense of security, and in time, she will learn you mean her no harm.
If she does something naughty, scold her, but not as firmly as you would a dog that is not afraid. She needs to learn that the scoldings are not what she is used to, and she is in no danger of harm, when she gets scolded.she was probably hit before.
A place for her to go and be alone, that only she can get into, might help.
Maybe one of those cat beds, that are covered. She could feel like she is hiding in there, and would feel safer.
When she is in the room with you, talk to her in gentle tones, tall her she is sweet, that you love her, that she is beautiful, things like that. Talk baby talk.
When she gets close to you, resist the urge to pick her up, instead say"Oh baby, are you going to give mommy/daddysome lovins? you are such a good girl! Let her come into your lap.
slowly offer your hand, palm down, for her to sniff. Give her all the time she needs. when she sees she is not hurried, and no one is going to lunge at her, she will begine to approach you.
Get her a snuggly toy, that she can pick up in her mouth, for her to sleep with.
When you go to bed, take her toy with you, and say "Come get your baby. do you want your baby?"
Things like that, and hold it far enough from you she doesn't feel she is getting close enough to be grabbed.
Any bad habits she might have, like peedling in the house, getting something she is not supposed to have,,,, etc, all these habits can be corrected when she feels safe and relaxed with you.
You can get Nyla bones. they cost a bit, but you can get one small enough for her little mouth, and it doesn't get chewed up, and won't break off into pieces she can choke on. You can put peanut butter or cheese inside it, for a treat for her, and it will give her chewing exercises. she will approach you sooner, to get her bone. She can smell that peanut butter or cheese, whichever she likes best.
At the Petsmart store where I shop, you can get cookies. they are really neat, they come in peanut butter, and some other flavors. The brand name is "some to share" and they are for you and your dog to eat together. they are healthy enough for the dog to have a couple every day, and they are safe for people to eat(actually good dog foods are made with the same quality control human food is made)
If you are offering her something you are eating, she may warm up to come and get it sooner.
Just doing things to build her trust, and understanding she is afraid, and giving her time to come around in her own time.
This will happen sooner than you think.
Good luck. Let me know how she is doing, and if there is any way you feel I can help, feel free to ask, anytime.