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My answer is getting longer and longer...My reply is for sure is not much to reassure you....but...
When pups grow up....during the first 18 months...they go through varying different phases in their mental development that affect their behaviour. Some is because of their hormones...some is general part of learning curve to become adults.
This much easier to understand in human terms. Think of babies...they put everything in their mouths and giggle of anything and everything...then they turn into toddlers that can throw their toys about and start stomping and wanting to do things themselves and pushing their parents away until they have different turn where they cling and want cuddles. Then then they reaching puberty...starting be more independent and pretending they are older and wiser than they are....then being teenager, do not know which way to lean, being older and yet still have bouts of selfdoubt and uncertainty and lots lots being embarrassed about their parentsAnd then the blessed (hopefully) the early adulthood...they brains start to find steady motion and they handle their fluctuating hormones better and understand their actions.
Puppies go through many very similar stages but it all happens in short period of time in their first 18 months...and it can be quite rollercoaster ride. Some are easier and others less so...no different to us humans.
You just have to take the ride...try to work your through this time and enjoy some of it! It ain't easy for sure...but understanding and accepting it is a good start. Your job is find the golden 'middle way' to be the teacher/human mum that is firm with your guidance and same time loving but doing it in their terms. Respect the pup when it is not in mood for cuddles and steal them for your enjoyment when they are too busy of doing something else (chewing) or they are accepting it.
Oh there is plenty of distracting issues to list here...but I hope this have given some food for thought. I have not noticed anything unusual in your pup's behaviour so far..and that is a GOOD NEWS!
..but I have something to add that only just came to my mind.If you can and it is in your nature....try to laugh some of your pups behaviour away. Pups want our attention, so rather than getting worked up about their antics..if you pull away, laugh 'don't be silly' and pull away, even turn you back and walk away...you are effectively giving a sign that your want to ignore him. Just like with other training...if you don't react, his behaviour don't yield the response they want from you...he will try something else. Instead if you react to the good behaviour, penny will eventually drop and he start to use that more often to get what he wants.
Save strong reactions....those are only needed in rare occasions and when dog is not familiar with those from you...it will be almost like 'emergency break'. But you won't get to use that many times in their lives for it to be effective.
