I agree that dogs often view things much, much differently at night than during the day. Everything is weird when they're not use to it. I would recommend not pushing about the walk so much, but perhaps go out for a potty break at night. When he's finished, you could just play with him a little bit with his favorite game or toy and some treats. Leave your porch light on and just gradually work your way more into the shadows. If he's uncomfortable where it's more dark, go back where it's bright. Now, this all to say if he is not uncomfortable with the light on at night. If it's the night period, no matter how much light there is, (lol) you'll have to go more gradually or make whatever it is that you think is bothering him into a more mild form. You could open your door so he can still see inside the house, but play for just a sec on the front porch. In other words, associate being outside at night with a safe and pretty fun time. Then start working on the leash. Do you have a fenced yard? Or must he always be on a leash outside? If you have a fence, work on it with no leash for a while. If not, then you'll have to use a leash. But forcing him or even putting too much pressure on him to come along with you on the leash if he's frightened, won't get you anywhere. So, take it by baby steps. Soon, those baby steps will turn into big steps. (I hope) LOL.
My dogs act weird at night too. I don't take them on walks because I'm too chicken of bears, cougars and moose. But they go out to potty. If they hear the slightest noise, their hackles go up or they bark very readily....more sensitive than during the day. Well, I'm like that too....I'm always listening like mad outside at night because I live in a wilderness area and there are all kinds of wild animals around. They'd probably go for a walk if I wanted them to, but they've been around the block baby. They're like 8 and 10 yrs old. (I think...gotta check their pedigrees) Jose` just had his birthday on the 1st. Yeah, I'm one of those people who forgets her dogs' birthdays. *hangs head in shame* :dunno:
So, it's perfectly normal for your baby pooch to be a little trepidacious about the night, especially if he hasn't had time to get at least a little bit use to it. Not only that, but he's very young still. Maybe it's past his bedtime and he just doesn't have it in him to go on a scary walk at night. Little by little, introduce him to scary things, starting out with the most mild form and very gradually increasing the pressure. Once he's okay with the front porch, advance to about 6 or 10 ft from the front porch. Then as he is okay with that, go a little further into the yard when you play with him. And once he's getting brave with that, go a few steps on the street and come back. Try to come back BEFORE he sits and refuses. Catch him when he's still having fun and going along and come back home. Only work on your increments for very short sessions....like a couple of minutes or however long he's having fun. Don't push it. When he's still having fun, quit so it leaves a good taste in his mouth. Go a tad further the next time. When you're walking away from home, give him tiny tid bits of treats or whatever else he loves....frequently. When you're coming home, don't. LOL.
