Recent Fear

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

This morning Tucker picked up a scent on someone's lawn which was a good distance from our home. Immediately his tail when down and he started darting his head around like he was being stalked. He was nervous and anxious the entire walk (even through the park). When we arrived home he remained fearful and stuck to me like glue up until we left for work.

While at the office he was happy, tail upright and wagging. The moment we got home, he wouldn't get out of the car, tail down and is creeping around the house right beside me. He won't go into the backyard at all, which used to be a fav spot. So what did he smell that could trigger such a reaction, there wasn't any loud noise to startle him?

Last night he was startled by someone in between our house and he started freaking out and barking at the back gate... more so then normal. Regardless of this event last night, he continued to walk around the house unaffected during the evening and appeared normal for the first portion of the walk until we came upon this house.

I also noticed he is off eating almost like it is too much of a distraction and not worth it.

Any suggestions, has anyone experienced this at all?

Tucker is only 9 months old.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Actually that is quite a spooky story. It gives me goosebumps. Has all the makings of a scene from a scary movie!

[Adina P]

He may be entering the second fear period of canine development: http://idog.biz/DevelopmentStages.html

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

Shiloh has gone through this....he even got scared of the shadows on the walls from that the ceiling fan made. The best thing to do is to ignore it, don't act concerned....or he will think there is something to be concerned about. Just encourage him to continue going to the places that now seem scary and he will get over it. I didn't even know that it was an actual developmental stage when we were going through it. Tucker will be fine!