I own 2 Yorkies.  Belle is 1 year old and Izzy is 2.  They get along great.  My daughter has a 2 yr old Yorkie, Wicket, and recently Wicket came to stay with us for a week.  Belle began cowering and wouldn't let us pick her up without lots of coaxing.  Tonight it finally got so bad that Belle started crying even when we weren't touching her.  When we discipline our dogs, we only use firm voice and never a hand.  Belle was showing this behavior before Wicket came but it has gotten worse.  We called our vet and he suggested the idea Belle didn't like Wicket being here and her crying might just be a behavior problem.  When he mentioned that I started thinking about her behavior over the last week and everything pretty much points to the arrival of Wicket.  She will be going home in a few days but how do we get Belle's trust back?  Should we never allow Wicket to come stay with us again?  I hope we haven't done permanent damage to Belle's psyche.  I guess time will tell as soon as Wicket leaves.  But I would like to know some tips on helping Belle feel better about herself.  Izzy is very good to her.  They play well together but Izzy is definitely the dominant one.   If anyone has any suggestions I would certainly appreciate hearing from you.  I feel so guilty about bringing Wicket into the picture and making Belle suffer.  She's such a precious little pup.

> Belle began cowering and wouldn't let us pick her up without lots of coaxing.<

I'd hazard a guess that she's found the 'coaxing' is actually rewarding to her.  Dogs don't think the same way we do, and don't take courage from encouragement like this, infact they find 'coaxing' is attention, and attention is good, so whatever they do that gets the attention,they will repeat.......  I'd suggest that each time she goes into this pattern of behaviour, you simply turn away, maybe even walk off, and totally ignore her until she 'straightens up and flies right' ;)  Also, don't confuse your dogs natural submissive behaviour with any bad connections with Wickets arrival - she is simply exhibiting normal dog behaviour which we humans mistakenly think means they aren't happy with the situation, whereas infact it's perfectly normal dog lanuage - such as bowing before the Queen ;)

You have said that she was showing some of the behaviour before Wicket came, I would have her checked out by the vet just in case.  But many Yorkies don't like being picked up.

To elaborat most dogs don't like being picked up once adult, but being small the toy breeds are forever being picked up which they put up with, but don't necesarily like it unless they have asked for it.  Itis the same as with petting most puppies will love a fuss from almost anyone, but adults prefer to be given the choice of interation and will politely allow a fuss if well brought up, but often you see that pained expression that kids have when being fussed over by an aunt or boys being kissed by their Mum when they fel they are too old for all that :D