Dog has become afraid

[WHepburn]

Our 7 year old Anatolian Shepherd has always been high strung - a perpetual puppy we call him.    Ever since he was a puppy he has traveled with us in our motorhome just fine.  About six months ago, he began refusing to go outside at night to pee.  We had to drag him over to bushes, etc., and often he was so jumpy he wouldn't go.  This does not happen at home, just on the road.  We assumed he was becoming afraid of the dark, or was spooked about truck noises on the nearby roads, animals nearby or gunshots, but none of these factors are constant.  Today we are at a quiet RV park in town with no highway noises, no shooting, no animals, but he has been acting spooked each night and this morning he began the same behavior during the day, too.    Any ideas how to get our old dog back to normal?   Thanking you in advance.

[foreverinbluejeans]

There are anxiety coats for dogs that are supposed to work wonders, like swaddle blankets with leg holes. I think a dog could still go to the bathroom.

[WHepburn]

Wow. I have never heard of those.  Whodathunkit.  Thanks

[babygirlie]

maybe he needs a vet? maybe some sort of brain issue like a tumor or infection is taking place? A bladder infection causing him to be afraid of peeing? Heart disease? I think I've heard of HCM causing an animal to act irrationally.

there are homeopathic meds/scents to give an animal. 7 isn't that old really.

I know my dog won't pee if she's heard a loud bang of any kind and I just let her hold it for a few days (poor thing) but eventually her bladder gets the best of her and she has to go outside. You could also buy that pet turf so she can pee indoors on a bed of fake grass.

I don't know :( Maybe she got bit one night.

[WHepburn]

I think the loud sounds idea is probably at the heart of the problem.  The guy has always freaked out at thunder and gun shots.  When this began there was some gunfire in the distance at night.  What I need to figure out is how to get him over it without resorting to doggie downers at night when we are traveling.  I figure he his hearing things that I don't which can trigger it (like the time he did it during the day a few days ago.)

Fortunately, he is healthy and sees the vet regularly.  And I am real fortunate that the he has a 16 hour bladder when he needs to so if we can't get him out and peeing during that last walk of the day, I don't have to clean up a mess in the morning.

Thanks for all of your help and support.

[starrlamia]

for any behaviour change, consult a vet to rule out medical conditions.

As for helping, I would highly recommend the book by Patricia McConnell called The Cautious Canine, http://www.amazon.com/Cautious-Canine-How-Conquer-Their-Fears/dp/1891767003/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1313121793&sr=8-4.

It is extremely important to make sure that you are not giving any corrections or scolding him in any way as to not perpetuate his fear. Do you do clicker training at all?