I wonder if you could entice her with a treat or a toy. Maybe if you sit on the floor (away from the table) and act really interested in the toy, she'll come out to take a look. Some dogs are so curious that the curiosity overcomes the fear. I'm sure she'll some around soon anyway because she knows she's in a good home. Good luck!

Lisa

When I first got Zephyr, she was so scared that if I put her down on the ground, she'd curl up in a ball and refuse to move. If there was something to hide under, she'd be there. After a few days, she got used to being at the house, but if I took her anywhere strange, she'd look for a place to crawl under and hide. Even now, if she gets scared, she runs into her crate and curls up way in the back where "the bad guys" can't get her.

My advice would be to be patient. Some dogs are a little more timid than others, and take a little more time to adjust. It's best to just go on about your normal routine — the more you baby them, the more you encourage the scared-y behavior. It's human nature to want to cuddle them and hold them, but by just talking with them while you go about your business, you are letting them know that everything is okay, they are safe with you, that you are there to defend them, and that's actually better for dogs (the cuddling works better for us humans).

Take a breath — this is a big change for you, too! And the more you believe that everything is fine, the more your furry baby will believe it too!

Good luck!

Micki, Rio's momma

Happy to hear that you two made it home safely!!! I know that you are so excited to get things started with your new baby but you were not expecting her being so scared and shy. I just know that she will come around but it will just take time. I agree with what Abby's Mom said to do. Hand feeding her can also really help. Try some really yummy food like chicken or turkey and hand feed her a couple times a day and she will realize that she can trust you. When we first got our Doberman my husband took her to work with him everyday and so she was never here. After a while it became too much for her to go to work with him so he started leaving her here with me. She wasn't so crazy about me because she had always been with him. I asked the vet what to do about this and he said that hand feeding their meals was the best way to get them to trust you. It worked like a charm and we have had a great relationship every since. Now she is super concerned about everywhere I go and what I do.She follows me everywhere!! That was about 8 years ago and now I think she likes me better than my husband lol! Good luck with getting Mercy to relax and feel at home. You'll figure out what to do. I'd say just don't crowd her and take things slowly.   Congratulations on your new Tripawd!!!