Can puppies sense anxiety?

It jsut sounds like she is a shy girl. If she were older and a rescue you might be worried because of a unkown past but since she's a pup we can pretty much rule out anything major. How long have you had her? At what age was she taken away from her mama and liter mates? Also keep im mind that while you are comfetable in your home, it may take her a while to adjust. Maybe someone will come along with chracteristics of this particualr breed, I'm afraid I know almost nothing.
Anyhow she may just not be a cuddler, entice her in games, work on obediance for 10 minutes a day rewarding with treats and take her lots of places so she bonds to you. BUT the number one way to bond with your dog is obediance classes, it shows her that you are her leader, she will look up to you and will accustom her to your specific reward and reprimand style. Nothing wrong with a cautious pup.....as long as you dont suspect underlying medical problems. My mom had a doh who had terrible ear infections and hated being petted on the head because of it. Even years later she only liked to be petted on her back.

Oops, to answer your question YES, a big yes! Animals are cosiderbaly more attuned to emotions and feelings. Try starting your days with a nice leisurly walk with your pup.....it may be just what both of you need for a healthy day!

Some options you can consider.  Hand feed all or a portion of meals during the day. 
 
Sit on the floor and lazily move a toy slowly around your legs.  Reward movement toward you by tossing a treat.  I suggest you look at some really good soft treats such as the Solid Gold Jerky or make some liver.
 
Play the name game.  Count out 5 treats.  Say the puppies name one time in the Mickey Mouse voice.  If the puppy looks toward you,,,toss a treat.  Finish up the rest of the treats and do something else.
 
Use your voice only when the puppy is doing bold confident outgoing behavior.  Add the praise statements,  good dog etc.  Ignore any timid or withdrawing behaviors.
 
Act like an idiot (low voice and slow movements) with his toys.  Most puppies have a passing acquaintance with "if you have it, I want it".  When he moves toward you, gently toss the toy to him.
 
Everything is slow and in a quiet tone when attempting to get him to move to you.  The Mickey Mouse voice is used to get the visual attention but not necessarily the movement toward you.

How long have you had him? I think you probably have a few different things going on there... one, yes puppies and dogs can sense anxiety in their humans and he may well be picking that up from you. There could be a bit of breed personality factored in, especially if he hasn't been with you long, since TTs can be reserved and aloof with new people. And just in general, he may not have settled in completely yet - that can take weeks or months depending on the dog. It may be you're coming on a little too strong for him and he would rather come to you - that is usually the best way to acclimate a new dog/puppy to a new home and family. And finally, not all puppies are super cuddly... sometimes they just like to do their own thing, sniffing around the floor and napping, but they may still grow up to be more affectionate dogs.
 
Edited to add... as an adult your dog will need a lot of coat care and grooming. A good way to bond with him now is too start getting him familiar with being groomed and brushed. Give him treats and petting as you do super-short (less than a minute) "grooming" sessions with him. Touch his paws and ears gently, etc.

Lots of great advice, the first two weeks I had Trixie who was an older retired show dog, I cried every single day almost all day long. Once I checked myself and figured out it was me not her, She is my greatest gift. Go slow and the sitting on the floor playing, and hand feeding, yes, also walks, let  him sniff what he wants and go over and put your finger in what he's sniffing (unless it's someone else's poop lol), and say what is it? He'll come around.

Also, keep in mind that you have a Tibetan Terrier and *not* a Golden.  Goldens are notorious for being very owner-focused and Tibetans for being somewhat less inclined to be cozy with the human.
The best way to form a strong bond with a dog is to let the dog come to you on its own terms if it is shy.  Reward the dog with a tidbit for his effort to come closer.  Don't reach over his head, and turn your body to the side as an invitation.
Positive training will help immensely to build your relationship - you need to get this dog into a puppy class no matter how busy you are, since he is at the absolute tail end of the socialization period as it is, so that he will not only bond with you, but be comfortable with other humans and dogs.  Take a deep breath, and call a trainer.
www.clickertraining.com
www.apdt.com

Wow -- so many excellent answers. I appreciate the time you each took and plan on trying quite a few of the things you suggest. Here's some answers to some of the questions posed:

He's 15 weeks old, and I've had him for 3 weeks. We started Puppy Kindergarten right away, so tonight is actually our 3rd class. (The breeder is also in my class with Pronto's brother.) The breeder held him and his brother back while trying to decide which puppy she would be keeping, so he was with his mother and a pack of other TTs until he was 12 weeks old. (She crate trained him as well, which is why he - blessedly - sleeps through the night.)

In reading some of your responses, I think part of the problem may be that I am "too much" for him to take sometimes probably...I tend to talk in the Mickey Mouse voice too loudly and too often, so I will start to tone it down a bit. I do start the day with a 30 minute walk (well, half of it's a drag and half of its a pull...but each day is getting better).

I also started a little ritual a couple of days ago with him that he seems to like. In the early morning, when I take him out of his crate I sit in front of the crate door and quietly talk to him as he stretches his way out and then give him a nice little morning massage. I'm hoping to keep this going as it's been my favorite part of the day -- getting to actually touch him and have him like it!

Because of his future high-maintenace coat, I've also been brushing him a little bit each day (as long as his mouth is otherwise occupied he's fine with it). I also make a point of playing with his feet almost every day and looking at his ears.

Thanks again!

ORIGINAL: geekygurl

I also started a little ritual a couple of days ago with him that he seems to like. In the early morning, when I take him out of his crate I sit in front of the crate door and quietly talk to him as he stretches his way out and then give him a nice little morning massage. I'm hoping to keep this going as it's been my favorite part of the day -- getting to actually touch him and have him like it!

 
Ah, with love like that he'll melt like butter very soon, what a loving dog mamam you are! Good point abput the mickey mouse voice too. I learned that tone can have a huge effect on dogs. I save the mickey voice for when my Rory does soemthing extremely good and my low grumpy voice for when she does soemthing bad so she KNOWS, ha ha!  I know its a cliche but "love will keep us together) ha ha, ya I'm a nerd!

Geekygurl... sounds like you are on a good track with him - he will bond more closely with you over time I'm sure. [sm=wink2.gif]

yeah, the others are right. no worries. he'll come around. jason used to be like this and it made me feel like i was a bad mummy, although i was doing all the same things i was doing with moca and she took to me right away.
but in the past 2 months he has become such a sweetheart, and comes to me for cuddles ALL THE TIME! sometimes i worry, that someone switched my dog with a cuddler. it's amazing..
so what i'm trying to say, just do all those things the others have suggested and don't worry. he will come around. with a mummy like that, who wouldnt[]