Timid dog

Question
I adopted a dog about 2 months ago, she is about 10 months
old.  When I got her, she had never been away from her
littermates or parents, was brought from Mississippi where she
and her "family" had severe mange and had been surrendered to
a shelter.  She is incredibly timid.  Now that she is used to me
she's by my side always at home, but when introduced to new
people it takes a while to gain her trust, understandably.  The
issue that I'm having is housetraining her.  I praise her (she
doesn't always respond to food treats) every time she goes
outside.  The problem is that if someone speaks in the next yard
or any other strange noise catches her attention, she balks and
runs for the door, will not use the bathroom even though I know
she must have to (because she'll go in the house within 10
minutes of going in).  Is there anything I can do to help her
overcome her fear or is it just going to take time?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Melanie,

There is no doubt you have a very difficult situation on your hands. To put it mildly, until you adopted her, your dog has lived a sad, if not cruel life.

Now that she has been with you (thank God) for about 2 months, you are her one and only--and it is natural for her to always be by your side.

You have 2 issues. Her being timid and housetraining.

There is some good news. You have her at a young age and, therefore, you--with a lot of time and patience can help to improve her mental stability.(To what point, I don't know). Further, I am pleased to hear that you are introducing her to new people. CAUTION: Be cerain whomever it is they are not loud, over excitable, and, by no means, do not let the person try to push their affection on to her. But continue your practice.

Housetraining:  Continue to praise her every time she goes
outside. Believe me, she would rather have your praise than a food treat. You wrote: " that if someone speaks in the next yard or any other strange noise catches her attention, she balks and runs for the door, will not use the bathroom even though I know she must have to." I'm assuming that when she runs for the door, you leave her go back inside. I prefer that you don't. When she runs for the door, obviously, she is terrified and wants to escape back into her sanctuary. I suggest you calmly walk over to the door where she ran and, in a soothing voice, try to calm her without leaving her back inside. Even if you have to sit on the ground next to her and continue to gently speak to her while petting her, do it. At this point she needs to be calmed and you are the only one that can do it. If you are able to calm her, and give it a good 10 minutes, then--even if you have to place a lead on her, gently persuade her to go to the area where she normally relieves herself, even if you have to coax her all the way. If she does relieve herself, praise her (no food treat). Then, take her back inside and allow her to do as she wishes, keeping an eye on her to see if she further relieves herself.

At this point you can't be certain that when she goes in the house after a scare, is it because of the scare where she has lost control, or is it because she is being disobedient to your wishes. My question to you is: Is that the only time she goes to the bathroom in the house? When she has been frightened outside???

I mentioned above you have two issues. It is very likely that there are times when these two issues are joined.

Either way, you are in for the long haul. It is not a quick solution, if at all. You must remain patient and remember one important thing. All the good that you have done, can be undone in only one rash move by some unknowing person who may mean well. You must be careful.

I wish you the best of good luck with your difficult situation. Please stay in touch and let me know your progress with what I suggested. I am concerned.

Harry