protest peeing

Question
We have a similar problem with our 2 yr. old dachshund mix (probably either
border collie or Aussie shep.) and found your advice below helpful. However,
you mentioned that it would be different if the dog pees in her kennel. Coco
has a brother from the same litter and we adopted them at about 6 weeks of
age. They were paper trained when we got them. We had training at Pet Smart
which helped with potty training and waking, etc. They stay in our large
kitchen most of the time and we leave the kennel door open unless they're in
the way while we're preparing meals. She really resists going outside and
when we try to make her go out she sometimes starts peeing in the kennel or
on the carpet on the way going out.  The other thing she does is to pee on
anything soft that's left in the kitchen including stuffed toys. She'll carry it to
the kennel and pee on it in there. Please help!

Expert: Cindy - 12/3/2008

Question
I have a two year old female dachshund that I got about a year ago from a
rescue ranch. When I am not home she stays in her kennel. She has always
had problems with peeing in the house, but they seemed to get better as she
got older. Now, she is peeing when ever she feels like it in the house and had
no remorse. This includes  my bed, her dog bed, blankets, and of course the
carpet.  She doesn't have a UTI, so i don't know what the problem is. She
knows that she goes to the bathroom outside and will occasionally do so.
recently if put out she will stand on the deck and refuse to go until she gets
back inside. We have an older dog that has no potty problems, but she is not
a dachshund. I had hopped she would learn from her, but that is not the case.
Aside from putting her in her kennel 24/7 any advice is much appreciated.

Get the answer below

Answer
I have seen this behavior before and it usually results from an unhappy dog.  
Most dachshunds hated to be crated and by having her in there all day, she
may be telling you she is upset.  Kenneling her 24/7 would be unkind and
you would be better off re-homing her with someone that can spend more
time with her.  This can be a way of letting you know when requires more
attention.  If you have had her vetted and there is not a physical problem, the
emotional issues are a likely cause.  Some dogs do not do well left alone for
long periods of time without their person.  It is hard to tell just from this bit
of information, but have you tried training her to puppy pads so that when
you are gone she can use those?  If you have a fenced in yard that she cannot
get out of, a doggie door is useful too.  I am not sure how long she is left in
the kennel at a time, but if the time can be shortened and she can be taken
out asap and given praise and love, that may help.  Does she go in her crate?  
That makes a difference too.  If not, she may need potty training 101.  Hope
that helps.  

Answer
You will have to keep taking her out - we got a chi recently that had not been out or walked on leash and she hated it.  We kept taking her out and made her walk around.  It took awhile but now she prances down the street - we had to take her a bit at a time and gradually increase it as she was scared of being out in the big world.  If she has a thing about peeing on something soft, try putting some puppy pads outside, give her a treat when taking her out of the kennel and outside and maybe get some really cheap stuffed toys and let her have it outside and see if she feels better about going.  It sounds like she has a fear of going out but I cannot say for sure.  Have you had her checked at the vet for a UTI?  She may be associating going potty with something bad so you need to make it a fun and treat time so she likes the praise and special treatment.  Try not giving her a treat at other times.  Is her sibling dominant over her?  That could also be a source of problems if he is scaring her at potty time or aggressive.  Try a halter so that when she pulls she does not pull on her neck when walked.  If you have a fenced in yard, you should still use the leash walking method to train her and get her over this and take her to PetsMart for more socialization.  Just walking around and seeing other people and dogs will help.  Best of luck!