House breaking 3 yr old Maltese

Question
QUESTION: We just recently purchased a three year old female Maltese from a shelter. She was owned by a 90 years old lady that had to give her up because she was going to an assisted living home(so they say). We have tried everything in the week we have had her but she just don't want to do her business anyplace other than on our carpet. We are trying to train her with a pad now but she used it once but ever since she pees and poops in different places in the room. We are also using spay on the pads but that only worked once then back to the carpet. We have also been taking her out every hour or two but she comes back in and does it on the carpet. She never seems to do her business in the same spot. She is very loving and does not tear anything up,she loves to cuddle up next to my wife and I. I am now wondering if she really came from an old lady but maybe from a puppy mill. I can't imagine how the owners house would look and smell. Please help us out here and save her from being orphan again.

ANSWER: oh please dont resort to letting her go id say the key is perserverance,
do you spray the spray outdoors as this really helps also keep a pad nextto your door and also one outside get her to use the outside one more ie placing her on it for a sniff also then eventually get rid of the indoor ones so she realises the only place she can go is outdoors
also praise is key as i always say they thrive on praise and affection.
it could be to do with coming to a new home has she been sprayed?
this could be an option to prevent dominance.
let me know how you get on.
Good luck and well done for bringing the dog to a better home !
its nice to see people are also interested in dogs and not just a new puppy!

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the help. Well to make a long story short, my wife took Dolly (maltese) to the post office with her, when she came out of the post office she found that Dolly had pooped on the front seat (drivers side). When she got home she said this done it and Dolly has to go. It was almost as if she was just doing everything possible to get divorced from us. I went to work on my extremely upset wife and talked her into keeping Dolly. I then had a come to Jesus talk with Dolly and explained that I saved her bacon this time but ...... Well we put two more pee pads out and tried spaying outside (didn't work) she just plain refuses to pee outside. I am happy to say after we came back in the house yesterday after we done what you suggested Dolly went straight to one of the pads and urinated, she has not wet on the carpet since and has used the pads every time, a different one each time. She has not pooped yet but that will probably be the next challenge. Any suggestions on this? I don't really think my wife would let Dolly go, she was just frustrated. Dolly is such a sweetheart and we just love her. I really think she was mistreated in her previous life and never had any training but she has already come a long ways.
Thanks again

Answer
this is Great!!
leave two or three out praise each time she goes on one clean pads often i know its expensive perhaps put old ones in garden to encourace outside "buisness" but eventually perhaps not yet lol. cut pads down so she has one next to outside door and one outside.
if shes been mistreated it may be a challenge and its harder as shes older but if you teach her you will be so proud i suggest nappy bags for getting your poop up as you just turn em indide out lol its easy and simple.
Good luck and remember PRAISE lol!