Paranoid/anxious 8 month old

[Sazi91]

Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone can help. We got our labrador pup at 8 weeks old and he is now 8 months old. Recently he's been acting paranoid. It first started the end of October where he was desperately trying to get out of the house, darting around and wet himself. We thought it was an early firework going off in the distance (guy fawkes 5th November in UK) but since then he's been randomly looking at the ceiling, ears back and head darting around. He does it both day and night but more on a night. Nothing has changed within the house and it's always been a noisy house as I have 2 young children. Him being anxious makes me anxious because I want him happy and settled. We try to ignore or distract him when he's doing it to show there's nothing to be scared of, but I don't know what else to do as I don't exactly know what caused it and why he thinks it's something in the house. Any suggestions please? Thanks

[missbattenburg]

Teenage hormones. They have a 2nd fear phase around now which can last days/weeks/months. Just keep distracting him and acting like it's no big deal and he should grow out of it again.

[Wolfiefan]

There is a 2nd fear phase. Mine decided people were scary. But this sounds extreme. I would want a vet check. And despite the two young children I would try and keep things calm and quiet. Is he crate trained? Would a quiet covered crate help? Try adaptil. I use the TV on low to help drown out background noise. No chance of local bitches in season?

[missbattenburg]

Yep, on rereading it I think it does sound like more going on. Though I am reminded of a story in Sarah Whitehead's book (Clever Dog) about a dog who did something similar because they linked it with increased attention. Not saying that is going on here - they just sounded similar.

[Sazi91]

Thanks for the replies. I did consider the second fear stage and unfortunately it may have coincided with bonfire night approaching. He has a crate which is covered and he has the radio on all day next to it. It tends to be when the kids are in bed on a night and it is more quiet when he's worse. We usually have the tv on at night for ourselves though. Vets checked him over last month at his weighing appointment and couldn't find anything health wise I.e pain. Our one to one trainer can't think of anything except what we are doing and we are currently trying him on yucalm but its only been 2 weeks and it says it takes 3-6 weeks to work. Was going to try adaptil plug in as well if the yucalm had no effect. Not sure about bitches in season as we live in quite a dog populated area so it is a possibility, but he's fine on walks. He is still playing and his usually boisterous self in between him doing it