Possible heat cycle? /Housetraining problems

Question
Hello, We recently acquired a Rott/Shepherd/? mix puppy/young adult. She seems to be 6 months to a year old. The people we got her from found her in a snow storm, and had her checked for a microchip, the age was their vets best guess. We know absolutely nothing about her. She is in pretty good shape, she is not overly skinny, her eyes are clear and bright, her coat seems healthy and shiny (a little dandruff issue though), but I did notice her teats are enlarged and sticking out, and her vulva is swollen. She has no discharge or blood, although she does lick herself and her belly sometimes. We picked her up on Sunday (1-28) and she has been very lethargic, sleeping most of the time. She does not eat much, but drinks quite a bit of water. I have had female dogs before, but have always had them spayed before they had a heat, my husband is the same way, so we don't know what a heat cycle is like.

Does this sound like the end of a heat, or does it sound more like pregnancy? She also had blood in her stool this morning (it was soft, formed stool, not diarrhea.) Could this have anything to do with it? We have an appointment with the vet Monday am, but I am concerned, and I might take her in tomorrow, any info on heat cycles, pregnancy, and possible causes(of the blood in stool, not of pregnancy, I know what causes that...) would be appreciated. I have been reading the posts about pregnancy and heat cycles, but I didn't find any where it mentioned a swollen vulva without discharge.

Also my other question is about her pooping in the house, she just started it last night, and when I walked toward her afterwards she cowered and flinched, even more so when my husband stood up, so it is clear she was hit before. I did not hit her or even punish her, because we did not see her doing it, only right after. The same thing happened this morning, and she acted like she was expecting a beating. How do I get her to stop doing this without causing her to be more fearful? (she does act like someone was not kind to her, if we raise our hands over our heads(even just streching) or move suddenly near her she flinches and cowers.)


Thank you so much, we really appreciate any help, she is a super sweet girl who deserves a second chance.

Answer
Lindsay,
I am really concerned about her licking her belly and drinking a lot of water.  This could be a bladder infection as well as other things.  I would take her into the vet tomorrow if you can.  Blood in the stool isn't normal either.  If you straighten out a health problem, that may straighten out the pooping in the house.  This may also be a bad case of worms in addition to something else.  Get her to the vet.
good luck and let me know what he says please.
nancy