toilet training

Question
I adopted a 2 year old shi-tzu female recently and am having terrible trouble toilet training her. She will pee and poo wherever she fancies - including on beds! She occasionally will ask  to go outside, but will often go out, then come in later and do her business on the floor! I am really beginning to despair!! There are people aroung most of the time yet no matter how many times we put her out, she still comes in and poos and pees. Even when she iw taken out for a walk, she will do the same. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP?

Answer
Samm,
Hi, it sounds like you have a serious problem.  Have you tried a crate for the training?  I would crate train her first. Keep her in the crate when you cant watch her.  Put her out immediately when she comes out of the crate.  Also, if she is kept in one area, put down some pads in the beginning so she starts to get the idea of cleanliness.  I would also correct her when she does go even if you don't catch her in the act.   You can still bring her over and say "no".  When she does go outside say "Good Potty" and give her a treat.  If she learns the word you can then say "No Potty" when she starts to go in the house.  You have to confine her to one room until she is house broken in that room, then go to the next room.  One room at a time.  Also, you must become her "alpha"   be completely in charge.  She has to sit before you feed her, and you always eat first.  Also, she must sit before you take her out.  Teach her to sit, stay, down, no touch.   All these things put you in charge of her so she starts to listen.  Also in the beginning make sure you take her out 5 times a day at the least.   This is an effort, but worth it in the long run.
Last but not least, take her for long walks to keep her interest in you and other things.  When she starts to like this she may want to go out more.  She will want to leave her mark when she is away from home and this will help teach her "good potty"
nancy