Elimination issues

Question
Hello Jill,

Here is my third question to you:

Cookie is a healthy, 3 year old-fixed, pure-breed, female Shih-Tzu.

When I adopted Cookie almost 2 years ago, I started noticing that she has 'issues' with elimination. Meaning, she WILL NOT eliminate! These issues range ANYWHERE from being too cold outside, too hot outside, too rainy outside, being spooked by a noise etc. The ONLY WAY I have found to resolve these 'unpredictable issues' is to take Cookie for a short walk, and then she complies. When Cookie does comply, she receives endless love, hugs and kisses for her successes!! :]

So, my question to you is: How do I get her to 'go' upon command, instead of having to 'occasionally' take her for a walk? I do not feel she needs re-training entirely (she goes alot on her own, but, then, a day will come AND SHE WILL NOT COMPLY); any advice would be wonderful! :]

Thank-you again Jill; we look forward in hearing a reply from you soon,

With Regards,

Tina and Cookie :]
Canada

Answer
It is absolutely NECESSARY for you to accompany Cookie outdoors at times you KNOW she will refuse to eliminate, no matter how inconvenient and uncomfortable this is.  I have done this myself, so I'm not asking you for any superhuman effort here.  No matter the weather (rain, sleet, snow, bitter cold, howling wind) if you know the dog will refuse (from fear or because someone in her former home trained her to do so), you MUST GO OUT WITH HER and absolutely require her elimination.  I suggest you use a phrase, such as "go pee", repeating it and taking her to the same spot every time (so her scent is present) and PERSIST (no matter the howling winds, the pelting sleet, the pounding snow) UNTIL she does.  THEN reward with praise and immediately go indoors.  She may have occasional "poop" accidents at these times, but defecation is often the last compliant behavior in house training.  SHE WILL LEARN, not only to go out on her own during inclement weather, but also learn your "go pee" direction (and you might add a pointing finger, the dog will also acquire a response to that.)  Give this TIME.  She's been unaccustomed to eliminating during these occasions when weather is fowl (most likely because her former owner was lazy and not attentive).  It may take a while (months) but she WILL learn to eliminate outdoors without you and to follow your verbal and visual signals.