JRT personality change!!!!!

[Handywoman]

Had my JRT since 7 weeks, now nearly 4yo. Despite taking her to classes/socialising her she has always been a very nervy dog. She is scared of other dogs, loud noises (shoots out of the kitchen when the toast pops out of the toaster) has always stayed firmly in the house and stuck quite nearby on walks, going home when she loses sight of me. On the odd occasion when the gate has not been closed she has nonetheless stayed put! I take a protective stance for her around other dogs and have bought her a hi-vis bib saying 'I need some space' to help other dog owners know to keep back.

This week she has decided to start squeezing through the side gate (which has been there all her life) and taking herself off for a few adventures. She has been brought back, kindly, by several different sets of neighbours. Initially I thought I was losing my mind, forgetting about her and simply shutting her out. Now I have realized she is actually choosing to take herself off through the gate to potter around our street! Not only that but today on a walk when I headed towards home she hung right back with a confident look as if to say, yeah, I'm not sure I'm ready to go home yet (but came nonetheless). She also was completely relaxed when my friends 4yo twins came to pet her (normally gets nervous and has to be very closely supervised).

Anyone else's pooch had a sudden personality change???? I am sure I'm walking her enough, she comes on runs with me and has at least 2 x 45 mins walks, tearing after sticks etc. she was spayed after her first season about 18months old.

Anyone?????