Hi jojo - welcome to the forum! It sounds as if your pup may have missed out on early socialisation. Most pups go through a fearful stage at around his age, and if he was on the nervous side to start with, and is now meeting things for the first time, you may need to work quite hard to build his confidence. I would do lots and lots of reward based training at home and out and about - have a pocket full of treats with you whenever you take him out (and a favourite toy if he has one), and sit on a bench somewhere and watch the world go by, dropping a treat to him at regular intervals. You can encourage him to look at you if there is something - or someone - approaching that he might find worrying. As he starts to relax ask friendly strangers to toss him a treat as they go by. Don't try and push him faster than he is comfortable with - there will be umpteen people who will insist they love dogs, and want to pet him, but they will make him more anxious if you let them.

It is also important that he meets lots of friendly dogs, if he is not already doing so. His puppy licence for misbehaving with adult dogs is running out, and he needs to have learned good manners before it does!

If you work on it now, he will improve rapidly. He sounds a lovely boy - I look forward to photos, and hearing about his progress.

 

You might also check into "doggy daycares" in your area where you can take him to play and socialize with other dogs.
I don't run a daycare per sa in my grooming shop, but I let them loose in front of shop (grooming room) if the play nice with others. I do have several customers with dogs that are a little anti social or have separation anxiety and let them bring there dogs in while they run their errands. Turns out it has helped the dogs just from socializing with other dogs. JMO
Good luck, it is always a challenge to work with dogs with any kind of dysfunction try several things and see what works best with your life style, but don't ignore the behavior because it wont go away and may get worse.
Wishing you the best....

 

In addition to the advice above, I would add try not to anticipate and get nervous in these situations. Keep calm and continue on, because your dog will pick up on your nervous feelings and react accordingly. I know it can be easy to tense up in situations you know might upset your dog, try to "breathe" and be calm instead.

Keep at it and expose him to as many situations as you can at this young age. Just proceed, best you can depending on your dogs reaction, in a matter of fact manner. Don't push him beyond where his comfort level is.

If you are a calm leader he may take some courage from your "strength" and every new good experience builds confidence.

 

Lots of great advice for your here. Can't think of anything to add to it.

My pup was 5 months old and not socialized when I got him. He wasn't outwardly fearful, but he did internalize everything. I worked with him daily, and it took some time, but we were both rewarded with a much more confident dog. He is now over 2 years and shows no fear at all and has even passed his Good Canine Citizenship test. It is well worth the time and effort put into it!

 

thank you for all the great advice. I will try them all...I'm sure he'll get better. Right now, he doesnt even know his name so I guess I gotta take it one step at a time. What I need to do is find a treat he goes crazy for. He has no food motivation at all. I've tried everything... even steak...he just isnt interested for some reason. Other than that, he is such a wonderful dog...full of thought all the time.

 

Welcome..

This also happened to me when I got Dee-Dee a miniature poodle, she would lay down all day and hide from everyone and every noise she heard.

My little cousins and sister started to play with her and that helped alot, but for some reason she didnt like me at all!!!

I didnt know what to do, I started petting her more often and giving her food from my hand and that helped aLot.
Sadly she has passed away..

Now I have Perry he is a boy he is also a mini and he turned out COMPLETELY! COMPLETELY different!! when I was bought him at a vet, they were cleaning him up and he wiggled around.. I completely fell in love with him! i bought him a leash and i put him on the ground, he started walking and if I whistled he would run up to my legs, I could never even make Dee-Dee use a leash! And Perry is very friendly and HYPERR!!!!!!!!! everyone gets surprised because anyone can pick him up and he will lick their faces!! HAHAHA I dont why he does it but he ALWAYS ALWAYS sticks his tongue in everyones mouth!! LOL!!

Very different experiences!!

I hope your new poodle looses fear so you can have more fun together!

 

It sounds as if he is very new to your house - in which case he may well need a calm, quiet settling down time. If he is not interested in food or toys it could be a sign of stress. It may be best to spend the first few weeks letting him get used to you, your family and your routine. With a small daughter, you will know how babies thrive on routine - and puppies are the same. Once he is more relaxed you can start introducing him to the big wide world, but too much too soon may be overwhelming for him. In the meantime I would make him a "safe place" - his crate if he has one, or a bed tucked away in a corner or under a table, where he can retreat and know he will not be disturbed.

Do you know his background? Has he come from a breeder, or is he a rescue? Be ready for all sorts of fun and games and even naughtiness when he does come out of his shell!