new puppy fears (his)

Question
Hi,
I have a 3 month old yorkie/poodle mix. We've had him about 3 weeks and he's great.He's almost perfect as far as housebreaking, his crate, and even the basic training we're learning at puppy school.
He's friendly to other dogs (until they bark and then he's terrified even if he can't see the dog).
Also,as friendly as he is to strangers and all the neighbors, he doesn't want to go with us down the street to a quiet park or anywhere outdoors that is even a small distance from our front door. We pick him up and carry him but he cries. Should we try to keep introducing him slowly even though he resists? Will this pass? He's not afraid of new places at all if they're indoors. He also hates the dark. Any ideas? His personality in general is spunky and friendly. I don't get it.
Thanks,
 Jan
Thanks,
 Jan

Answer
Chances are whoever had his mother didn't understand the importance of introducing the puppies to new experiences between 6-12 weeks.  Not experiencing such walks before 12 weeks, he now finds them strange and frightening.  He may never do as well as most dogs.  

Work with him, building up his confidence.  Start with obedience training. The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ As you praise the dog for following your commands, it will build its confidence.

Play tug of war with the dog and lose. However at the end of the game, take the rope or toy and put it up, less the dog becomes confused about who is top dog. Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

Finally, make sure it has a den to live in. If you are not using a crate, buy one. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.

Control your emotions.  If you let it stress you, he will sense it, confirming outside is a dangerous place if it upsets you and he is right to be frightened.  Do not coddle him either.  That rewards him for being afraid.  Be happy and confident.  If he is frightened of anything in particular, go right up to it talk to it and pat it.  I didn't follow that with my one puppy that was afraid of women in broomstick skirts.