House breaking our boxer

Question
QUESTION: We inherited a 11 month old female boxer named Ariel and she is a great dog.  We have another dog who is about four years old and they play together great.

Our problem is that Ariel pees in the house in the same spot by the front door everyday whenever we are not home.  She goes outside all the time and goes to the bathroom but she will pee in the house by the front door in the same spot whenever we are not home.  That is the only time.  I was thinking of sending the other dog to my inlaws for awhile and crate training her when we are not home.  I don't know what else to do.  please help!!!!!!

ANSWER: Hi Shelly,

You don't mention how long ago you inherited Ariel; she may still be a bit unsure about the new home, or she may have a touch of separation anxiety.  Crate training her is not a bad idea; you wouldn't have to send the other dog away, many multiple-dog households only crate some dogs and not others - it would depend on how the dogs did with it.  If you aren't already, you'll want to use an enzyme-based product to clean the area where she's peeing - something like Nature's Miracle, for example - to completely remove the smell; if the smell is still there, she's likely to keep returning to the spot.  Also, some basic manners training will help to boost her confidence, and be sure she gets some alone time with you (your other dog should, too) to help her bond and fit in to your household.   At the very least, you could try blocking off the area by the front door so that she can't get there to pee; she may start peeing somewhere else, so you'll need to keep an eye out for new spots, but if there's some association with the front door that might be enough to stop it.

Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WE have had her about a month now.  I bought the Natures miracle.  Yesterday I blocked the area by the front door off and she peed in a different spot close to that spot.  I am going to clean the who area today with the natures miracle and see how it goes.

Thanks

Answer
It could be a combination of things, then.  The new home, the scent, anxiety.  You didn't mention how long you're gone during the day - at 11 months she should be able to 'hold it' several hours, but with everything else going on she may be having a bit of a slide back.  If this happens during long days, is it possible for someone to stop by and let her out at a mid-way point?  

The good thing is that she is peeing by the door - it seems as if she's trying to go outside, she just can't quite get there.  I suspect that with some time and lots of reinforcement for peeing outside while you're home, she'll get past this.