My dog Zoey

Question
Hi Elaine. I have 3 dogs, a cat, a 4 year old daughter, and a fiance. I'm writing about my dog named Zoey. She is about 2 years old and 1/2 wiener dog 1/2 Chihuahua. I bought her off of Craig's list a little over 2 months ago. The lady I bought her from told me that she was a foster home for Zoey because her previous home had been physically abusive. She told me that when Zoey (at the time her name was Sam) got excited she would pee a little. I told her that this wasn't a problem as long as it wasn't an all the time thing. The lady reassured me that it was rare and I brought Zoey home. I soon found that this peeing habit was not rare, it was actually quit frequent. She not only pees when excited but also when she's scared.  I know that this is submissive peeing, but HOW DO I STOP IT?! She also poops in the house. This is out of pure laziness on Zoey's part. First thing in the morning I let all of the dogs out. My other two dogs consist of a 2 year old black lab and a 4 year old 1/2 yellow lab 1/2 golden retriever. Both of our boys go out, but Zoey will hide. If you try to call her or pick her up and carry her she'll pee everywhere. If you just leave her to decide when she wants to go out she just jumps out of our bed poops and pees on the floor and then hops back into bed. I got both of the big dogs at the Humane Society and they are better trained than Zoey! My fiance and I are at our wits end with this dog. She pees anytime my daughter comes near her, she pees in the morning when I try to call her outside, she pees if I try to gently carry her outside. When we are outside she won't use the bathroom. I literally have to stand outside for like 20 minutes before she'll even sniff around. At this point I figure she doesn't have to go potty and take her inside. She'll then run upstairs and poop in my bedroom or my daughters room. My family and I can't take it anymore and neither can my carpet. We don't want to get rid of her, but I don't know what else to do. please help! Also, we already crate her. All of the dogs are crated during the day while we work and then let out as soon as we get home. Zoey won't potty in her kennel, but won't go outside because it's cold or raining or she just doesn't want to. Please help me not have to give away my dog.

Answer
Hi Amy,

Whether your dog Zoey is not quite house trained, or if she's got some anxiety issues, the basic way to handle your problem is the same. Because you can't trust Zoey, you should not be giving her the run of your home. That means, when you are unable to supervise her, whether you're home or not, she needs to either be crated, contained to an area of your home with the help of a child gate or two, or contained in a portable indoor dog pen, such as this item:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16677&

If Zoey soils in her crate, then the child gate or dog pen are a better choice. Lay a thick layer of newspaper down (covering the entire floor area) to make accidents easier to clean up.

If Zoey does not do all that's required on a walk, bring her back inside and put her directly in her containment area. In about 15 minutes give her another try outside.

Please don't compare Zoey to your other dogs. They're all individuals, with different backgrounds and needs.

You need to walk Zoey on a leash, not just let her outside by herself, or with your other dogs. It's only when you're there with her walking that you can praise and reward her for doing what she needs to do, in the places you want (not in your home, in other words!) Praise and reward the instant she's finished relieving herself outside. Once Zoey gets the hang of this, you can let her go outside with your other dogs.

Obedience training works well for dogs with anxiety issues. It helps build up the dog's confidence, as she learns what it is you want of her, and is rewarded for it.

There is also the chance that Zoey is not a good mix for your household. Not every dog is suited to live with other pets, and young children. If you are unable to do the training Zoey requires, or can't supervise her around the house, then you may have to consider giving her up. You should first contact the person you got Zoey from, to see if she'll take her back. If that doesn't work out,  please don't just "get rid" of her.
Take the time to find a "no-kill" animal shelter, or a breed specific rescue group such as a Chihuahua or Dachshund rescue group (they take mixed breeds). While she may not be a good mix for your home, you've still got a responsibility to do right by her.

Best of luck,
Patti