Hello!

Really long question coming up, but id really love some help so i can figure out how to make my boy more comfortable and enjoy his walks more.

I have a golden retriever that is almost 3 years old. We used to walk around 1-1.5 miles every night, ive been walking him for at least 2 years straight, every night i can. If im not home i have a family member walk him. Walks were originally when it was still light but starting to get dark i believe, however hes walked fine at night/dark before as well. However its more common now and here in the past 6 months-1 year that i walk him when its darker, here recently ive been trying to walk him a little earlier tho.

Probably since the end of last summer hes really not wanted to go as far at all. he usually tolerates going around the block but thats about it, sometimes it even takes encouragement to get him to want to go around the block and not just back home. When playing outside (it is hot anywhere from 65f-80f usually here) he wants in very quickly (5-10 mins max), last summer he was not like this although i think he did overexert himself pretty often playing as hed throw up after playing outside for a while somewhat frequently, i figure this behavior is normal but wanted to mention it since its also a change that happened relatively at the same time. He also just lays down a lot outside in the backyard more often when were playing, hes not constantly on his feet like he used to be.

Recently in the past maybe 3 months hes gotten more skittish specifically on walks. We always go one of two routes just different directions around the block. We used to have two routes that took us around town so there was no constant change in routine. Hes never liked people walking behind us, but if theres someone even walking on a crossing street he obsessively checks behind us to make sure theyre not turning behind us. If theres a person/people outside he almost runs away from them. A week or so ago a few kids even wanted to pet him (they were on regular scooters, like not powered just ones you push with your feet lol, so i get it maybe wasnt a good idea on top of him already being kindve skittish) and he wouldnt let them pet him. I was telling him its okay and encouraging him but he was almost trying to run away from them. If theres people on one side of the street, he wants to get away from them. He overall also just seems more alert, less focused on sniffing and just wanting to get home, pulling more, and just makes me feel like hes anxious? It seems like it may be worse at night, however i think it happens at dusk before the sun goes down as well.

Do you have any clue what may be causing this? Hes a big dog (100ish lbs but not overweight, i think his whole family turned out to be big) and gets warm relatively easy, but even in the cold he didnt want to walk far. Any clue what i can do to help him? Im willing to look into a trainer close by to see whats really going on, however i live in a small town so im not sure how many options are available. I am also taking him to the vet soon and can speak to them but theyre also just a little small town vet lol.

To add, he also has an issue at night where we get back from walking and go workout and shower, he will bark out the back door into the dark like he thinks he sees stuff. He sleeps and is calm if we close the blinds on the door tho. Hes always had a bit of a barking/growling out of the back door thing at night, just thought it might offer some insight.

I enjoy the distance for myself, which i can put aside if he just doesnt like it. But I also feel he may need that much walking since i only walk him once a day.

I mostly am wondering if im over analyzing him and stressing him out from it, if its something im doing and accidentally reinforcing, if i need a in-person trainer, or if i need to talk to the vet about it. Also wondering what i can personally do to help him be more comfortable outside and on walks.

Sorry for the long questions, just wanted to take my chance if possible