Older Aussie Behavior Changes

by Jayne
(Rhode Island)

My almost 11-year-old female Aussie has become increasingly fearful over the last couple of years. She is well-trained dog and she gets lots of attention and activity. She has become very fearful of loud noises, which didn't bother her when she was younger. Her fear of loud noises, anything from a car door slamming to a whistle blowing is prohibiting her from our usual long walks because the moment she hears a noise she refuses to budge any further. She has also stopped coming upstairs with our family in the evening and stays alone at night which she has never done in the past. I know as she ages it is more difficult to get up and down steps however I have observed her going up and down with little or no problems at other times during the day.
Any ideas what is going on with her?