He's getting the idea that he needs to come to me for his food. My daughter feeds him some as well. I'm having a problem if anyone , moves, walks answers the phone, sneezes, coughs... ZOOM, he's off & hiding and it takes 5-10 minutes for him to come out and it seems we have to start all over again. should I have him on a leash when he is out of the cage ?should he be alowed to drag it around or should it be in my hand ? I have NEVER had a puppy so skittish in my whole life, so this is bran new to me.

Can you elaborate a litle more about the background of this pup? (age, breed, provenance...)

See my previous post Lynn, "New pup scared of everything"

Had a very simular problem with Max, when I got him from the backyard breeder I had to crawl under the trailer to get him. he was 4 months old and a nervouse wreck. crate training and clicker training is the way to go. Max is obedienced trained, does some agility stuff and a few cute tricks but he still has some "issues". I don't think you'll ever get him a 100% but a little hard work will go a long way. check your area for classes. don't expect the class to train your dog. they show you how and you gotta do the home work. good luck

So, besides the classes that I need to look into, should I try keeping him on a lead when he's not in his crate ?

I don't think it's a good idea to let him run around with a lead on, it could get hung up on something. then you have a new set of problems. Mr. Frawley has excellent training dvd's . read his entire web sight. I think he gives away ALOT of great advice I have paid good money for. I would keep your puppy under positive control and limit contact with anybody else. but again I am not a trainer, I took 1 obed course, read "Dog training for dummies" and bought Ed's videos. I'm semi retired (I work for the Post Office <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) and Max is my only hobbie

I leave the lead on my puppy damn near 100% of the time, keeps me in complete control of him.

I think this is covered in Ed's groundwork article.

Your're right Ken, that's what Ed said. I fergot. but I'm not real comfortable with that, I was afraid of the leash getting hung up or wrapped around on something. I guess if you puppy proof your house it would work. I'll review everything before I get my new puppy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

When you`re at work and he`s in his crate he won`t need a lead on. Buy a crate.

I have a crate already which he sees as his "den"
Ok then I'll keep a lead on him and see how that goes, just one more thing, if he does get under the couch or chair, should I take him out or try to coax him out ? cuz, if I let him he'll just camp out til the cows come home.

On a lighter note, he is starting to come around, to me & my daughter(not the BF though, he's not here as much). He'll readily eat from our hands, when I go to take him out in the A.M. I don't have to pick him up out of his cage, he comes out & lets me put the lead on him to take him out and "do his thing" he comes back in, starting to get the idea about actually "walking" on the lead, not just me having to pull at him, or pick him up. he's picking up on his name too, we've decided on "Courage" Yeah I know.. my daughter though of that one from the cartoon thats on.

As for what breed he is... God only knows, I don't think he looks like either a Chow or a GSD, he does have a black roof of his mouth, but nothing (yet) on his tongue. I do have a couple pictures of him if anyone would like a peek, let me know & we'll figure something out. I'll give him this much he's very cute ( I know ALL puppies are)
Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />