adopted basset issues- whining and potty!

Question
Hi there Nicole. Thanks in advance for your time. We brought home a year and a half un-neutered male 3 days ago. We got him from a man who had bought the dog for his girlfriend and her kids, and when they split up she gave him back the dog. He had neither the time or want for him, so he was giving him up. I felt lucky to have found the little guy, as I don't think the quality of his life has been that great so far, but we intend to change that!
An issue already is that he's been whining now for the past 2 days (didn't the 1st day) and only lets up for small periods, only when he's resting, eating, or getting love and rubs from us (actually he still kinda whines when we do that but it reduces greatly). My first reaction is that he needs to go potty. But when I take him outside on a leash (which by the way is pure torture as he has not been leash trained at all - (oh and btw we do NOT have a fenced yard)) all he does is try to sniff his way out of the property.. He finally gets the idea that he's not going anywhere as I bring him around the different sites in the yard, and he stops pulling and sort of relaxes. I take him all around and give him ample options (maybe too many?) and time to go but he rarely seizes the opportunity.
The first day seemed normal as he peed/pooped while my husband walked him (or should I say as he dragged my husband) around the neighborhood. He followed his nose until he found the right spot somewhere in the forest. (we live in the forest)
Yesterday was really the first day I made him stay in the yard to go, and the only result was he marked by two trees, and once by a post but that was it for pee. He pooped only one time in a neighbor's yard while visiting her (she has a fellow basset!)
Today he's marked only two times in our yard, and no poop.
He's not eating very much I might add... and drinking some, maybe normal.
I'm really wondering that maybe he's just so used to being at his own leisure to go potty (in his old fenced yard) and that maybe because he's not used to being on a leash and not being able to smell himself around till he's blue that maybe he doesn't feel comfortable to go potty that way. Does that sound even remotely like a possibility?
Or could it be more like maybe he just doesn't have to go?
How many times a day is it normal for him to go pee and poop. Interestingly we've had no accidents in the house so far...
And the whining? I read it could be a "new home" thing, he might miss his old fam kinda thing... God I'm clueless. Do you have any ideas what all this whining is? What could I do to help him? I feel so bad, I feel like he's trying to tell me something and I just don't get it...
Any tips for successful potty would be great!
Thanks so much!
Another thing to add is that I've never seen him just have like a long/normal pee, he always just marks. It's like he saves it all just so he can do little marks everywhere. (I know we really gotta get him neutered...) But is this normal for an un-neutered male? I feel so bad for the poor guy it's like gosh, just let it all out! It'll feel better!


I'm that a new house his a big adjustment

Answer
Hi Avira,

First things first...he needs to be seen by a vet to rule out any physical ailments.  If he didn't have a great life, chances are he didn't have great veterinary care either.  Not to alarm you but not actually urinating (but consistent marking instead) may be a sign of kidney stones or other type of blockage.  It also may be behavioral which is why it's SO important to rule out anything physical first.  Get that done, let me know what's said and I'll be happy to help you with the potty issue (assuming it's behavioral).  It's an easy fix. :)

As for the whining...again, he could be in pain or it could be behavioral.  Get him a clean bill of health and then get back to me.  Again, an easy fix (a lengthy one but easy) as long as it's behavioral.  

No, 'only' marking is not normal for any dog...intact or otherwise. He should have to urinate w/in an hour of drinking a good amount of water, urinate and defecate w/in an hour of eating and do one, the other or both immediately upon waking or greeting (after being left alone...if he is).  After that, you'll just sort of have to figure out his schedule.