This dog hasnt peed or pooped in 2 days!

Question
Hi,

  We just adopted a young coon hound that had been a stray in our neighborhood for about 2 weeks.  I don't know exactly how old she is but her teeth are very clean, white, and small.  She's the size of an almost full grown female lab.  We brought her into our house and she seems to be fairly well behaved. Also, she seems to have been well cared for, though possibly mistreated by a man.  She has not warmed up to my husband as yet, though he's been kind to her. Of course, we've been feeding her and giving her water and taking her out on a leash every 2 hours or so.  The thing is, she has not peed or pooped at all since we got her.  I know that sounds incredible, but it's true.  Is it possible that coon hounds have to be off the leash in order to "go"?  
  Also, she chases our little kitten, who's terrified of dogs.  I assume that coon hounds are bred to chase coons up a tree.  She doesn't seem vicious in any way, but we don't know if she will hurt our kitten or not.  Is it possible to get her to stop doing that or must we take this dog to the nearest animal shelter where she'll most likely be euthenizes?
  It might help if I tell you that we have about 13 acres.  Most of that is wooded, but we still keep her on a leash because we don't want her to run off to the highway, which is about a third mile away.

Answer
You are dealing with several difficult issues.  I doubt Coon Hounds are any more likely to not eliminate on leash than other breeds.  Often it is a problem of being corrected for eliminating in front of people in the house.  Walk her around outside on leash.  Keep her moving.  Eventually, she won't be able to hold it any longer.  When it happens, shower her with praise.  Rave about what a good dog she is.  You can then continue the walk a little before going back in.  If she is enjoying the walk, you don't want her to learn that eliminating ends it.  

I don't know there is an answer to the kitty problem except carefully watching her when you are around and correcting her every time she approaches the kitty.  Never leave her loose unintended around it.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Damaged possessions or kitties are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

Thank you for adopting her.  You are right, sending a dog to the shelter is too often a death sentence.  Count on me to give you as much help as I can.  I occasionally take some heat here and elsewhere on the net for my strong spay/neuter agenda.  I continue to do all I can to reduce the misery of unwanted dogs.