so back in august my sister had got  a rat terrier for my other sister. but my other sister didnt want him because she was just moving out and my sister was going to sell him but i wanted him so i kept him....

i went on a trip back home to europe for 3 weeks and my sister stayed here w/ the dogs.. (we have 4.. 2 miniature schnauzer, 1 boxer, and a rat terrier) our new rat terrier was fine.. a little shy and didnt know what to do but he was fine.. he had new toys.. other dogs to play with...everything.. but we have one problem.. he wont come to my dat at all. well actually is any MALE that tries to pick him up he runs and hides.. i always have to catch him for my dad.. but Benny (thats my dog's name) was kinda abused by the 1st owner. she had him and his brother in a crate their first 3 months of life and they really didnt have human contact.. then another lady who rescues rat terriers i guess got him and she had sold his brother but couldnt sell him to anyone because his markings were backwards or something?? i dont know hes all brown with white markings and the lady said hes suppose to be all white with brown and black markings. i dont care though. he's sooo cute.. but yeah i dont know if the lady tortured him while he was in the crate because he is scared of EVERYTHING... im tryin to teach him to fetch and whenever i throw the ball he just ducks and runs or if he is sitting next to me when i throw it he hides behind me or jumps up on the couch. he is going to training classes and he loves it. when he gets his harness put on he knows that its serious. no playing around unless i say its ok. but my biggest problem is getting him to come to my dad. he just wont go and my dad is really heart broken but he said that if he doesnt learn we may have to get rid of him because he cant stand to see him be so scared and he feels like he is suffering being in this house.. i dont understand what he means by that but my dog loves it here.. hes always playing. has a big backyard to run around. lots of toys to chew on.. but yeah.. anyone here that can help?? maybe know what to do??

the lady that trains him told us to do the whole giving things to him... and my dad does. he feeds him and i mean when my dad gets ahold of him he sits there in his lap and my dad scratches his head and  all that...

and hes almost 8 months old...

Very true that he may just have not been socialized!  My Mayfly is very scared of new people and all sorts of new "things" that are common to other dogs, like baby strollers or someone carrying a broom for example.  She has never been abused (we got her at 9 weeks old and she just hadn't been handled much). 

This doesn't mean he's not happy in your home.  The best thing for him is to work with him and he will come around gradually.  If your dad could give him treats, spend lots of time with him, it would help.  There are a couple of other ratties on here who were scared of men but have gotten better.

Good luck with the little guy!

thats the thing wont come up to them at all. no matter what they have in their hand. i just hope it gets better... id hate to have to loose him.