Re-training Potty Trained Dog

Question
I have a 16-month-old, female, neutered Schnoodle. She was doing well at letting us know when she needed to go outside to eliminate. We trained her. About a month ago she started refusing to go outside and sneaking around in the house to do her business. She is perfectly potty trained whenever we visit my in-laws or my parent's homes. The minute we get home she poos or pees in our living room or other room. We've tried everything: Treats and praise immediately when she eliminates outside. Confining her until she has no choice but to eliminate outside (but she holds it for hours). Watching her closely. Using enzymatic cleaner to clean up all accidents. We're at our wits end. HELP! (Otherwise, she is a very obedient and smart dog.)

Answer
Behavioral changes are often caused by changes in environment. Why is the dog reluctant to go outside? Is there a new dog in the neighborhood? Remember dogs hear much better than we do and the dog may be reacting to sounds that we can't hear.  Begin a routine of first in the AM a potty trip, then every two hours and last thing at night. No food or water 4 hrs before bed time. The immediate praise and treat is a good method. You also need to take the dog out inbetween potty trips and see how she reacts. Does the dog play or explore the yard normally? Is it shying away from an area or direction?  Play with the dog outside to give it confidence to be outside. Simple non competitive games such as catch, fetch, find it [hidden toy or food treat]. As the dog learns to be comfortable outside the problem should go away. Use a lead when doing the potty trips but to just control the area the dog can reach so you can see if a particular area is more stressful than another to the dog. Your other efforts are correct for clean up etc. Dogs can "hold it" for days when stressed and never fully eliminate. There is always a reserve they use for marking. If possible, let the dog mark the entire perimeter of the yard to ward off critters. There may have been opossum, skunk, raccoon or other animals and the dog could be reacting to their scents.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC
www.dogkennel.org