Changing behavior - timid?

[Barley'sMom]

Not sure if this is adult behavior emerging, a phase, or what.

Barley used to be exceptionally friendly with strangers. He'd let anyone pet him, and got all wiggly-butt when someone approached.

Just in the last week or so, this has changed. No unusual incidents that would be causal, but whenever a kid or adult says, "can I pet your dog?" i allow them, as long as they come down to his level. Yesterday, he backed away again from a neighbor girl, the mail lady, some random guy, and a teenager. He doesn't snap, but actively avoids them by backing away, standing behind my legs, etc. He looks uncomfortable.

Is this his inner chow coming out? Any insights? Should I continue letting people pet him? Try to modify?

 

[SummerRiot]

Ahh.. hes going through the "fear phase".

Almost every pup goes through it in their lives between 5-7 months.

Riot went through that.. but his fear turned into nipping at people - all belgians go through that phase that I have met!!

Just keep at it, assume him that no one will bite him lol

Riot took a few months to get out of that stage.. Now hes happy to see people!

Just keep consistant with it.

 

[Roxy's CD]

As summer said it could be a fear stage. (I would probably attribute his behaviour to this)

Although, he may be to young for this, but after a year, sometimes you'll notice a big change in your dog, they lose the "puppy factor". They mature and become more of the dog that they will be as an adult. Around 15 months I saw a HUGE change in Roxy, she went from a cute playful puppy, happy to meet people, to wary and sometimes just not interested in strangers at all, as long as they weren't bothering her.