Sudden change of behaviour in six month old puppy

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Not sure why, whether she's hyper because of the snow, but she was spayed two weeks ago, and for the last few days she's been manic, chewing a lot more, barking, and weirdly suddenly barking at people we meet in walks.
Anyone any clues?

[littlewhitebag]

Sounds like you might have an adolescent puppy on your hands. Welcome to the funhouse.

[Blackpuddingbertha]

The snow has completely addled my 8 month old pup's brain. She has forgotten how to be a well-behaved, polite puppy and ignores all commands while out on walks. I am awaiting the thaw to see if her behaviour will revert to previous or whether we too now have a teenager to deal with!

I have noticed a general higher level of dog nuttiness amongst dogs we meet on walks so I think the snow is definitely a factor .

[Aquelven]

Teenagers!

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Yep, I think it's a combination of teenage craziness (enough of that with 15yo son), and the snow. She was barking at a man with skis on fgs the other day, not something you can really socialise them with in Autumn when we got her....
She seems to be getting easily spooked about things all of a sudden too, which isn't like her at all.

[SpicyPear]

My pup went through a stage of getting spooked at about 4 months. Trees, bin bags, men in high vis jackets. I had to be ridiculously patient while he worked out things were okay then he settled down. Then forgot all his training much like that. I think it's teenagery and he is just starting young

He has also gone a bit mad over the snow. I read that it is disorienting as it masks the usual smells etc. so to be careful off lead. Agree re the higher level of nuttiness amongst the local dogs. Particularly the little terriers.

[psicat]

There's various stages of development over the first couple of years including what's known as the second fear period around 6 - 14 months. Good table here showing them all:
www.diamondsintheruff.com/developmentalstages.html

Keep up with kind positive training and she'll get through it :-)

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Thanks psicat that's interesting. Yes, Spicypear, my two dogs are crazy little terriers, so part of all this could just be their breed! Snow sends them loopy...
Spoke to the Vet last night, and they agree, it is part hormonal changes after spaying and part adolesence.

[OwlLady]

yep, mine is going through the lets bark at everything stage too. Even snowmen are on the list :o

[littlewhitebag]

owlLady - mine has been barking at snowmen too! I think she is afraid of them.

[OwlLady]

I have always thought there is something rather sinister about them myself

[SpicyPear]

Mine loves snowmen. They have one of his favourite foods for noses