Rescue Husky

Question
Hi - I just got a 1-1/2 yr.old female from a rescue and she's been shuffled around a lot.  She's doing well here with the exception of the peeing in the house thing.  Doesn't seem nervous in general, but piddles all over the house, particularly with my husband.  With him, it's a submissive behavior, and, of course, if you punish her in any way, she does it worse.  It's not a drop or two, it's puddles and pools. Had her checked out by a vet and she does have a kidney infection which she's been on antibiotics on for a week, but still piddling like crazy.  She'll piddle standing up, jumping up, and in her own bed.  It's driving us crazy, but we're already bonded to her and otherwise she's a great dog.  Our house smells like pee all the time and we don't really want her to be just an outside dog; we like spending time with her.  Any ideas?

Answer
Dear Pam,
I am guessing that a man has perhaps been very cruel to her in her past. This is very hard to get a dog over. The things that happen to a young pup really affect them for the rest of their days and are hard to undo. Her medical condition would not help her either, but I would bet her past abuse would be the culprit. Though she is probably peeing in her bed to make it feel like hers.
Siberians in general are a very headstrong breed, and sadly as a result people get one, cant understand why it isnt behaving like thier last lab and try to dicipline it heavily achieving only the fear response or resentment. I have seen so many people do this. Then when that is a disaster they pass the dog off to a shelter, or resell it and you are left with the kind of problems you have with yours.
All you can do is look closely at the circumstances each time she pees. Were you being threatening, was she over excited? What was it that set her off? Limit inside time so you have less accidents, and wait till she is calm before inside time commences. Perhaps slowly her trust will grow and the problem will lessen, though I do not think it will diminish entirely. However time and patience can achieve wonders.
Good luck.
Faye and Husky Crew