Suddenly scared of the dark??

[Daz9100]

My 7 year old cocker has suddenly become scared of the dark or is it something else? Up until this week she uses a dog flap to go out at night to do her business. Suddenly this week she's been doing wee's indoors overnight but still went outside to do number 2's, last night she did both indoors. Any reasons for why this could be?
The area outside is secure as it's along the side of the house with gates at both ends and fenced off. If I go outside when it's dark she still won't follow me out 

[Mudmagnets]

Has she been scared by a firework?, sometimes they seem alright at the time - then they are afraid next time they have to go out, not sure only guessing for a possible cause.

[Daz9100]

Not that I'm aware of. She's never really taken any notice of fireworks. And I don't remember hearing any on Sunday / Monday when this started happening

[elaine.e]

If she was mine I'd take her to the vet and have her eyes checked in case she has a vision problem that's making her feel nervous about going out in the dark. Hopefully it's nothing, but she's at an age where a number of eye conditions that Cockers are prone to can start, such as PRA and cataracts.

Another thought is could she have a UTI? If you take her to the vet to have her eyes checked it would be worth taking a pee sample with you for the vet to do a dipstick test to see if there's anything going on.

[john51]

As Elaine says, it could be something health related but there are certainly lots of scary things in the dark! My one year old was startled on an evening walk when an animal (almost certainly a cat) shot off when it saw him coming and flicked a stone that hit a board making quite an impressive noise. Ever since then he's been very wary of what might come out from behind bushes in people's gardens.

I'm guessing that even if the area is secure, you might get visits from cats or wild animals that could give an unsuspecting cocker a nasty shock in the dark.

[bizzylizzy]

Don't know if this sounds practical, but my Hubby installed a motion sensor light, (we just fixed it up where the old outside light used to be). It stays on just about long enough for him to do the essential and then he comes back in.

[Daz9100]

I've installed some additional outside lighting today and going to leave it on overnight and also keep taking her out there this evening. We'll see what happens tonight. Definitely going to take her to the vets on Monday to get her checked over.

[MIN]

strange what can spook them.
 A carrier bag rattling in the wind  had Gemma so scared that she would not even come to us as the bag was behind us

[john51]

It may be worth trying some classical conditioning by offering treats to get her to to go out. Start small with, perhaps, just an open door and then a step outside and build it up very slowly so that she can regain her confidence.

[Daz9100]

It's odd. I just took her out and she was very reluctant to go out until I opened the back side gate and then she shot into the back garden and was wandering around quite happily.

[Daz9100]

Unfortunately there was no change over night, once again she was toileting indoors. I took her out at about 10 last night and she was very weary about coming out the door and was looking nervously towards the back gate. When I opened the gate she came out and wandered around the back garden in the dark quite happily.
So I left additional lighting on and I heard her go out through the flap just after I went to bed, thinking that she now might be OK. But getting up this morning things were no better 

So it's looking more likely that something has frightened her and is now reluctant to go out at night 

[Jaysmumagain]

Think continuing to go out with her and spend time in the garden and yard area when its the last time at night is the best reassurance, if she doesn't settle then you do need to think about taking her to the vet.

If she is anything like Ollie making a mess inside is another upset in its self, he is very anxious if he has a mishap or is sick etc.  luckily it is very rare.

Do hope she settles, and Min mentioned a plastic bag, my previous cocker Jay would be scared stiff day or night if a flying/moving plastic bags.

Julie

[Daz9100]

Well things have progressed slightly. Still having an issue if she only has access to the side yard overnight, but last night I left the rear gate open too and she was fine going out into the back garden, via the side yard. Although a few muddy paws marks on the carpet this morning but that's better than toileting.
Took her to the vets today and he confirmed, as we know, that she's just being stupid. Nothing physically wrong with her. Obviously something has scared her. 
The vet also mentioned maybe trying some calming tablets, anyone have any advice/recommendations on this?

[john51]

As I’m sure you realise, “just being stupid” is a very human way of looking at things. As far as the dog’s concerned something out there at night is scary and she needs encouragement to change that view and start looking at the garden as a safe place again. That’s why it would seem best to treat it as a behavioural issue and work with her to change her feelings.

As to whether anti-anxiety treatments will help, it’s not clear but I would suggest it’s unlikely. There is no good evidence to suggest they work and although it is unlikely to do any harm (except to your purse), I would concentrate on what will definitely help which is a bit of behavioural modification.