Timid chihuahua

Question
Hi, I have a 5mo old chihuahua. I got her when she was 4mo old from a friend. My friend said that she was always afraid of people, and preferred to stay with her parents. She is very loving and gets very excited when I come home, and loves nothing more than to be next to me...but the last few days she has begun to pee and poo everywhere. She was using her puppy pad perfectly up to about 3 days ago. She will go anywhere as long as its NOT her pad..She even peed right next to her food and water bowl. She knows its bad because when i catch her, before I say anything she runs away with her tail between her legs. I take her outside with her harness and leash and she'll just look at me and sometimes climb up on my leg to get me to pick her up. The only time her tail isn't tucked under her legs is right when I come home, or when I call her name. This is my first chihuahua, and first small breed dog. I dont know how to fix the restroom issues, and her fear.

Answer
Hi Audrey...

So, are you saying that this puppy had no problems AT ALL for the whole month that you've had her and only just started to pee and poo everywhere in the last few days?  If so, what has changed in the last few days?  New dog?  New person living there?  You're coming home later?  The pee pad isn't getting changed as often?  You changed the location of the pee pad?  Specifically, what can you think of that changed?  The first time she did her "business" somewhere other than the pee pad, what did you clean it with?  Did she, by any chance, just have vaccinations?  

You said that she's very excited when you "come home".  Come home from where?  Do you work?  Are you gone all day?  Is this dog confined to a certain area or given the run of the house when you're gone?

I don't find it to be unusual that she wants to be picked up when you take her outside on a leash.  Where do you live?  Is it cold right now?  Are you expecting her to go to the bathroom outdoors by any chance?  If you're training her to do that, she may be getting confused about using the pee pad.

It's not unusual for Chihuahuas to be timid either.  I'm asking if you work outside the home because a pup that was with her litter mates or mother for a long time and who is now all the sudden left alone by herself for long periods can most certainly be affected.  Do other people live in your house?  Any kids around?  

The more information you give me, the more I'm able to help you.  I want to know specifically where you place her pee pad, how often you change it, etc., etc.  Please write back with answers to all the questions I've asked you and any other information that would be helpful.

It wouldn't hurt for you to go through the questions and answers on my AllExperts page and see my responses to other people that have had housetraining issues with their Chi pups, too.

Jo Ann