my puppy is 9 weeks old he has been with us for a full week. The problem that we are facing is that he will play outside but spooks easily. Then when he goes inside he hides in a corner. We give him some space and go visit him and love on him and try to.coax him out with treats or toys and sometimes he will come out and take the treat.and go right back to the corner but other times he will just ignore us. How can we make him more comfortable so that he will play inside and enjoy himself? Has anyone experienced this before? Could it be him just getting used to us? I knowhe came from a farm with little human interaction and we also live in the city. I just want my little guy to feel comfy in his home and be happy. Any advice would be welcome.

Was he like this since u brought him home or did it just start? To me it just sounds like he isnt used to u guys yet. If you want try feeding a meal or two of his by hand if thats possible.. I wouldnt force him to play but try to show him that u guys r his family.

He goes back and forth. He has always hidden. We moved his crate into the family room today to see if that helps. I have tried the feeding by hand and he does well outside. We have had some set backs there too. Our neighbor has a standard poodle who is pretty big and loves to bark. We have made progress with him but it is just feeling like one step forward and two steps back. I just feel bad that he doesnt seem comfortable and thought maybe I could do something more. Thank you for responding I think you are right about him still adjusting.

Does he sleep most of the time in that corner? Or does he just sit there.. It could feel like a den to him cause i know koda loved to den under my bed and under my desk.. They would go there for their safe spot and to sleep.. But i think if u just try to interact with him and keep doing what ur doing it will be ok. Once he gets going on his shot u can also try and find a local training facility, some have puppy playdates that would be good for him

He sleeps there or on the couch. Sometimes he just hangs out over there but his crate is there now so I hope this makes hom more comfy. I want him to have a safe spot.

Maybe try being very specific about when you give him treats too. It you see that he is nervous or scared and you give him treats, you are reinforcing that state of mind and telling him that it is acceptable to be in that state of mind. He is still new to you and he needs to learn to trust you and rely on you for guidance.

Encourage him to come out and play but don't give treats until he relaxes and interacts with you in the way you want him too. And as always, praise him like he just conquered the world when he does.

It's very normal for a pup in week 1 to be somewhat aloof and impersonal, which is perfect for you because you can teach him that you are a source of a happier, more relaxed state of mind.
Good luck!

I disagree with coaxing him out. I think you need to leave him alone when he is scared and let him come out on his own. When you get in his face and try to coax him out of the corner, no matter if you are doing it with a soft voice or not, all he sees is this strange person in his face who won't leave him alone. If you let him come out on his own, he will realize that he has nothing to be afraid of.

Let him open up to you and your family at his own pace, don't rush him. When you try to force interactions, you only stress him out. Let him figure out the world on his own. Eventually he will get to the point where he is so curious about you and your family that he will seek you out on his own.

When the neighbors Spoo barks and scares your puppy, don't coddle him. Don't pay any attention to him when he gets scared. He will look to you for guidance, and if you run over to him and love on him, it will only enforce his thought process that the big dog is in fact something to be afraid of. When the dog barks, keep doing whatever you were doing before. Say in a high pitch chirpy voice, "We don't care about that!" and move on with your life. If he likes to chase things (I use the term fetch lightly here) then tell him you don't care about that and throw the ball. Once he learns that you are not affected by the big barking dog, he will learn he doesn't need to be affected by it either.

By coaxing I didn't mean proactively. It's not a confrontation. Encouragement can be quiet and very subtle. Somewhat of the opposite of giving in to his fear/nervousness.

In fact, I didn't even use the word coax.

I didn't say you said it. I said I disagree with coaxing; and I mean in general. He will come out when he is good and ready. I would have quoted you if I was talking about something you said.