When I take my dog for a walk she doesn't go very far, only 4 or 5 houses away from our own house. She's 4 years old, a mixed breed staff / mastiff, and she's a very nervous dog. She doesn't like strangers so I take her out in the night time. And when we're on the walk she pulls a lot and won't go in the direction I want her to, I have to follow her. And if a loud car goes by she darts straight for our house and goes in.help?

Are nightly walks something new for her?
Has she always been a nervous dog?
Has something happened to her on a walk that would have frightened her?
I hope you are not using a retractable leash with her, I think those things are very dangerous in many situations.
The more details you give the more helpful the advice.

Obedience training! Your dog should never call the shots and "walk" you...

Until you have this under control, no more walks unless it's in the back yard or inside the house...