Ok, I thought that my dog was the only one that was weird! My dog sleeps in a kennel inside the house at night, and she's gotten to be a little stinker lately. Because it's cold out, she won't go out until the sun comes up! So she sleeps at my feet (yes, while I'm exercising....try doing WATP with a mini-schnauzer at your feet! ) until the sun comes up, then she is finally ready to go out! What's funny is she'll go out at night in the dark, but not early in the morning!!! She's so funny!

IMHO, try to associate outside-dark with positive things like; an owner (Alpha Dog) that's extra-excited about being outside, special treats, a special play activity...

I taught my Shetland Sheepdog the "Go Potty" (pee) and "Potty Some More" (poop) commands, and he gets treats for completion of his duties. When we go outside on a rainy or below zero day, and I tell him "Go Potty", he knows that the faster he completes his chores, the faster we can go inside.

As for basic housetraining, when I got my boy he was one year old, and pre-housebroken by the breeder.

I understand. It is down right funny to watch a eighty pound rottweiler come racing in because she is afraid of the dark. I hope you find a solution.
Michelle

Aww I love me some beagles! Are you rewarding her with treats when she potties outside? Maybe she should get an extra special only-during-the-dark treat in the morning to make the experience more palatable.

We have a beagle, too

In the early AM, she has a lot lot lot of trouble focusing, too, but it's because a neighborhood outside cat runs around our yard. In the morning, we have to put Mia on a leash and take her to one specific spot. That's the only place she's allowed to "be" until she goes, then we'll let her run around & sniff stuff.

Could there be a neighborhood dog/cat/raccoon/possum that wanders through your yard & night, and the smell of that is what's freaking her out?

D