[I_love_dogs]

I have a standard poodle and a cockapoo. Neither one of them will go outside without someone watching them. At night, I need a flashlight to scan the yard to make sure there is nothing out there. Our fence keeps most things out, but I know we have foxes, bobcats, coyotes, racoons and owls in the area at night. During the day there are large birds that might be willing to try for a small dog. Mine are large enough they just sit and watch them. A previous dog was afraid of squirrels for years because one got to close when he was little.
Your dog may just be afraid of creatures outside.