Desperate!! Please help!

Question
I have a 4 month old basset hound who initially was really good at peeing. We wld always leave newspaper down for her while she got used to going outside and she would always use the paper if she couldn't get out in time. Since we got her (at age 2months) we have moved twice in the last month and currently I am away and our
Puppy is with my boyfriend (we live together). All week she has been peeing and pooing all over the bed and spare room bed - only when someone is home - never when she is left alone!!! She is taken out often to so her business and for long walks. We spend lots of time playing with her but she is a little spoilt! My boyfriend is ready to give her away because it seems that everything we have taught her she forgets or chooses not to remember. I know bassets can be stubborn but this is getting ridiculous! Please help - we don't know what to do and how we can stop this!!!

Answer
Alexandra, this really sounds like stress and possibly not knowing how to tell your boyfriend that she has to go out.  Is it possible that you can read her signals a bit better so you know when she has to go outside?

Moving is stressful for dogs as well as people, so have some patience with her while she's adjusting.  Go back to your original puppy housetraining routine - confine her to a crate or ex-pen when you can't monitor her 100% of the time.  Close off the rooms where she's had accidents.  Don't allow her the opportunity to continue to make mistakes.   

Teach her a way to tell you she has to go out.  My favorite way is to hang a bell on the doorknob.  Here's an article I wrote with details on how to do this:  http://www.azgreyhoundrescue.org/index.php/resources/articles/82-house-training-


So, key points for you:
1.  Management - control where she's allowed to roam and monitor her while you're home.
2.  Go outside with her every time and reward when she goes.
3.  Use confinement as necessary if she doesn't eliminate when you take her out.
4.  Teach her to ring a bell to tell you she has to go out.

Good luck and don't give up hope.  I'm sure she'll be back on track in no time, but be sure to set her up to succeed!  Let me know if you have questions or need clarification on anything I've suggested.