I have a 8 month old border collie that is refusing to go out on walks usually when dark but today during the daytime. It seems to be triggered by a noise from something she cant see which started about bonfire night. What is the best way of dealing with this fear, do we carry on struggling with the walks or allow her to go back in the house?

We had a very anxious dog who didn't like to leave the house and had two lots of contradicting advice - one to take things very slowly, building up its confidence step by step and the other to 'take charge'.  Personally the latter worked a treat for us!  We ignored the timid behaviour (i.e. didn't reward it by acknowledging it) but it did involve a certain amount of 'persuasion with the lead', and we praised her when she was calm until she realised that there was indeed nothing to be scared about.  It took us about a fortnight to get her walking properly again   Funnily enough it was fireworks that made her like that but then they were going on around our area for about a month!!!  However, its a case of 'what works for one won't neccessarily work for another'