toilet habits!

Question
We took in an abandoned dog 2 years ago.  We believe she is about 7 years old.  We live in the countryside in a property with a lot of land including pool, garden, allotment areas etc.  Pip, our dog sleeps outdoors.
In 2 years we haven't been able to  train her to poo in appropriate places away from the house, pool area, garden etc.  She is free to roam on our land and on neighbouring lanes and tracks.  
The problem seems to be getting worse, for instance today she was reprimanded for pooing on the lawn.  Our current response is to take her to the poo and smack her nose and say no. This seems to have no effect whatsoever.  We have young children and my partner and I are becoming increasingly distressed by this situation.  Your thoughts and advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated.  Many thanks for your time and cooperation.


Answer
Lisa, you are expecting way too much out of this dog. Unless you are able to take the dog to the specific area that you want her to potty in, each and EVERY TIME she needs to potty, you're never going to make her reliable. Taking her to her poo and smacking her nose is inappropriate and ineffective, as you have found. The only time correction works for pottying in the wrong spot is if you catch the dog in the act and immediately take it to the appropriate potty area (on leash). Because your dog lives outside all the time, you cannot do this. I've really never understood why people get a dog and then leave it outside all the time. Dogs are pack animals and want to be with their families, not out in the yard alone.

The only thing I can recommend you do, aside from making the dog a house dog and taking her outside to the spot you want her to potty on, on a leash, is to pick up her poo and place it in that area for a time. She may get the idea and she may not, because you won't be there every time she needs to 'go' to take her to the spot. I would suggest that you mark that area off somehow so that it has clear boundaries. This will make it easier for her to understand that she must go potty within those boundaries.