Dog owners: Did your young dogs go through an intense period of fear?

My new puppy Wilson just turned five months, and he’s been rather cautious and timid the last couple of weeks. Not with me – he’s very bouncy and happy, usually. However, he’s been somewhat jumpy with noises and when in areas he doesn’t know. He always recovers quickly when startled, usually in seconds.

Yesterday, he heard people screaming in front of my window at night. They were happy, not threatening – but very loud. He got up and started growling, very obviously out of fear. I took him outside immediately, and played ball while the squealing girls got into their car. He was happy once outside.

I’m worried.

He’s been perfect with people lately, he’s playful and greedy, very trainable and extremely cuddly. I can’t complain, in general.