Do you think anyone might have hit them or yelled at them in the past few days?

No I don't think anyone would have hit my dogs.My friends know full well that I wouldn't stand for any thing like that.But my husband and I both scolded them( the dogs)when they wouldn't come to go upstairs. But it would not be the first time they had been yelled at.And we where just calling them to go up the stairs.No mean laugage or any such thing.I just don't know how to reassure them not to be scared.My back is very sore I can't continue to carry them in and out to pee.Poor girls I don;'t know what else to do,even dog treats arn't working.
Ann.

Ann, did you check for tracks in the snow in order to find out what might have scared them? I can't remember exactly where in Southern Ontario you are located, but some areas near here have the occasional black bear or fisher. Or perhaps it was another large or vicious dog running loose. I find it hard to to imagine that their reluctance has anything to do with being scolded inside the house, especially if they are fine with you except when you try to take them out.

My cat loves to go out on her leash, but one day something spooked her and she was fearful for two or three weeks after that. But it did pass. And fortunately she has a litter box so I going outside is optional.

Could you talk to your vet on the phone and see if he has any ideas on how to deal with the situation? And maybe talk to a few of your neighbours to see if anyone has seen anything unusual?

Do you have steps going out-side? It sounds to me like they are thinking you're going to gate them away from you again if they go back up those steps--. A bit of remedial training may be in order--special treats for coming back in the door--you may even have to start with just moving toward the door--patience and time should help. The old adage "make it a party" probably is a good idea here--.

Treats have had no affect.But I had company over today,people my dogs love.And my friends husband mentioned he seen coyote tracks back around our pond.So maybe that bothered them.But my dogs have never had a fear of other dogs before.They are very afraid of going up and down the outdoor stairs but still run up and down the stairs inside the house with no fear.I thought maybe the salt on the steps has bothered their feet.I'll have to use sand instead.
Ann.

Oh, just had a thought--are your outside stairs open at the back? That will sometimes frighten dogs when trying to get them to go up the steps--going down they don't see the openings, but do when going up. If the dogs had a pile up coming up those steps with one or both sort of slipping thru the opening, that might account for their new fear.

Dogs can get strange ideas in their heads--I have an 11 year old who will not use the steps closest to the dog pen--she always has to use the front set of steps--same number of steps, made the same way--I've even leashed her and done the side steps with her--nah, she likes the front ones and will run thru snow drifts and rain puddles to use them!

Hello Ann, I've been thinking about this because we have the most peculiar black lab ever! He hunts (for my H), guards the chickens, goat and the house and loves to chase squirrels and ferral cats. Ok he is lively but the biggest problem with him is he hates a change in the house. If we get a new fireplace insert he doesn't want to come in. If we get a new camp stove he can't stand to stay near us while lighting it (he hunts with husband often). I think its just the fact you changed the everyday schedule of the house with locking them up (without notice to them ;) 0)) Our dog really doesn't like a change in schedule with the house situation. We raise chickens in the house, he investigates every single new hatch with a nose to every single little chick. We laugh, dance, yell (mostly at the animals) and we both work. The house is always on a schedule. I know this sounds weird and rambling on and on but think a bit. I didn't want to respond to this because I have so many examples. One is my mom's pug ran upstairs to pee on dad's pillow for taking "his" peaches and putting them all in the fridge straight from the tree with out letting him have them (first time for everything he's 6 years old). I lmao Mom didn't!

The extreme cold and ice melt on our sidewalks have been affecting our dog's feet. At first I thought he was limping due to an injury, but I could find nothing. After the weather warmed up a little he was much better. I watched and when the temp dipped again Scoobie was limping. (I often get cracks in my heels and that alone makes it very painful for me to walk. I can't imagine how painful it might be to get salt into those cracks and try to walk.) So I wonder if the salt and extreme cold are more of a problem on your dogs' paws than you might realize.

Sounds like Scoobie might need this--.

Here is a link that might be useful: musher's secret