std poodle behavior/housebreaking

Question
I just bought a 7month old std poodle female - she is a shy girl. I have had her 2 weeks now. She just got spayed Tuesday, never was socialized by breeder. She only LOVES me, tolerates my husband (he does take her outside with great success) but will not really go up to him. How do we housebreak her - the crate is out. She freaked over it, pooped in it etc. - i think she is too old for it. She is 80% correct with housetraining.

Answer
Hello Paula,
As to your dog getting to accept your husband, let him take over some of her care.  You said that she will go out and potty for him and that is great; also let him feed her and if she will play with her toys with him, that is great.  Have him get down on her level and play with her, and even do the Doggie Exam with her.  
To do the doggie exam, sit on the floor and get your dog on her back in your lap.  Once she will lay still in your lap, rub her tummy to help her relax.  Next you can start the exam.  Go over your dog by looking in her ears, eyes, mouth, and going over her skin.  Praise her for laying still.  
Start her off with you doing the exam, then let your husband sit next to you while you do it, and finally let him try it.  It is a good exercise to bond with your dog, and to show her you are boss in a non-threatening way.

For the housetraining, be sure to clean up any messes with a product that contains enzymes that will "eat" the odor out of the carpet.  Wal-Mart has a product called "Kids and Pets" that is great for pet messes.
Also, you should pull food and water up 2 hours before bedtime and make sure that your dog potties before you go to bed.  
Take her to the same place everytime and try to keep her on a regular schedule.  

If you want to eventually crate her, try to get her used to the crate slowly.  You can leave the crate door open, feed her in her crate (again with the door open) and put her in it for very short peroids of time while you are in the house, until she gets more used to it.  If she just won't acclimate to the crate, try leaving her in a small bathroom or laundry room while you are gone.  

I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions or comments or other housebreaking concerns, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim