extremly timid 7 month old Rott puppy

[skybluu550]

my husband and I acquired a Rott pup about a month ago, she is VERY VERY timid, the people that owned her before us swear she was not beat in any way. At this point I am having a hard time beliving them, I know for they had her for 3 month and kept her in a crate, i also know there was alot of fighting and arguing going on in there home, Before they bought Nayla from a pet shop she was at a puppy mill, so we are her 3 owner in time she has been alive, she is very loving, the issue is she is afriad of everything and I mean everything, if you pick anything up she will run and hide, even putting a plastic garbage bag in the container will make her run, my husband is getting very frustrated with the dog. It's hard to get attached to an dog that you can't play with or get near, she will come to me and play with me, but as soon as pick something up she runs. i don't know what to to do to help her, and if I can't correct the problem she will be working on her 4 owner in her life, someone please help, living in our home is me, my husband, my 14 yr old son, { Nayla is ok with him, but runs if he picks something up} a 10 yr old Lab, a cat, 3 guina pigs and a chicken, Yes we have a house full, we have friends that come over and other family members, until she knows you she will put on a good mean dog show, but after that she is fine and wants to play.. does anyone have any suggestions on what to do..

[McMegan]

Socialize Socialize Socialize. It's unfortunately that her previous owners did not take the time to do this for your poor pup, because now you have a really big job ahead of you. Dogs (and, actually, all animals) have very distinct periods of mental and social development. Puppies have a limited window in which to be introduced to the world they will be expected to live in, and everything they experience during this time (and immediately after, as the window closes) will leave a big impact.

Pick up Jean Donaldson's "Culture Clash", Paul Owens' "The Puppy Whisperer" for a much more thorough explanation on puppy socialization and see if you can find a trainer in your area (positive training only, of course - no pinching, pulling or choke collars for this sweetie!) to help you set up a plan for your little girl. APDT.com is an excellent resource.

Please be aware that this will take a great deal of time, patience, love and care to fix. Your dog can grow into a healthy, emotionally-balanced member of your family but she really needs the help of your entire family to help her overcome her fears right now. If your son and/or husband can't be 100% committed to the time and effort this will take, you guys need to make that important decision now - don't wait for this to get worse or more painful for you or your dog.

[Day an]

Hi
We have had 2 rescue rottes and both of them took a couple of months to settle in , I don't know if this is normal ? But my advice is to keep trying and give it loads of love , we were about to give up on ours , then there was little signs of something changing , and I recon it was 6mounths before we got the real relaxed dog that we got today , I think the problem is is that she or he doesn't trust you yet , please don't give up they are so nice and loving , and will give you so much when they lure to trust you . I hope this helps I'm no dog trainer but this is how I have found rottes ,,, good luck