Newly adopted

Question
My husband and I just adopted, Gracie, a 3 year old female red Standard Poodle.  I say adopted but we paid $500.00 for her.  She came from a breeder that was in the process of ending their business.
She was part of the breeding stock but had never been bred yet.  They did spay her after they decided to close their business though.  She had been kept in a indoor run with a doggie door to a run outside with grass.  They said she was basically house broke.
We got home with her Friday afternoon, July 27th.  She did not urinate until Saturday morning July 28th.  She didn't urinate again until the next morning, Sunday July 29th at which time she also pooped for the first time.  She didn't urinate again until Monday July 30th at 2:00 in the afternoon.  She has not gone outside since but has gone in the house once on Wed and once yesterday (Thursday#.  We have been taking her out every few hours since we brought her home watching to see if she will go but nothing.  We now have her blocked off from every room so she is only in the rooms we are in so we can make sure she won't go in the house.  She is drinking water and is starting to eat her food better.  I have never she a dog hold it so long.  It almost seems like she is doing it on purpose. Our Vet has checked her and health wise she is fine.  The Vet has no other idea on the behavior. So in one week she has only urinated 5 times (3 outside and 2 inside) and pooped (3 times outside and 1 inside)  I am sorry this is so long but wanted to give you a much information as I could.  Thank you for any help you can give us.  The Wilson's

Answer
Hello Wilsons,
Most of the time, its normal for a dog to hold their potty until they get more comfortable with their surroundings.  We just adopted a little Red Toy Poodle, and it took her about 2 days before she would Poo, then about 1/2 a day more until she would pee.  I think its nerves, and also (for us anyway) about Brandy not wanting to go where the other dogs have gone.  Kind of like not wanting to mark in another dogs territory.  

Its not harmful to hold "it", as they will go when nature causes them to go, one way or another.  
Try taking her to the same spots she has gone before as those smells will encourage her to continue to go there again.  Lots of praise and love when she does what you want her to.  Poodles love to please, so your praise will let her know that you want her to go there and are happy when she does.  

I think as she gets more comfortable with you and her situation, she will start going more routinely.  

If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim