Question:Hi~
I don't know if you are still doing this but I'm hoping you can help. I rescued a 3-4 year old miniature female doxie. We've worked out food aggression, leash walking, people aggression. I'm still struggling with potty training. She will only go on a leash walk. I take her twice a day and only return home if she's done ALL her business. Now I am finding she is pooping in the house too even though she's gone while on her walks~
Any ideas? We'd ultimately like her to use the yard because she's only 9 lbs and MI gets LOTS of snow in the winter. We've been working on this for 3 months.
Thanks~

Answer:
There are many reasons why a dog may only go potty on a leash walk, it could be that is how she was previously taken out and now she is conditioned to only go out on a leash. Also, walking stimulates a dog having to go, so even though she went at home she may still go on her walks and vice versa, even if she went on her leash walk she may go at home. If you haven't already, I would create a space for her like with an exercise pen to be her area in the house when you can't supervise her. If she is not crate trained, you might also invest in a crate for her as well.You will need to go back to basics as if she were a new puppy. She does not understand that you would prefer she go outside, she just knows that she has to go, so she goes.

When you are home, take her out every hour in your yard, without her leash and stay out there with her. Wait for 5 or 10 minutes, if she goes give her a high value treat, if she doesn't go, simply take her back inside and put her in her pen. Then, try again in 15 minutes or so. ONLY have her loose in the house if she has gone potty outside. If she hasn't she should be confined in her pen or attached to a leash that is attached to you.

Never, ever punish her for going in the house or she will simply learn that you are not safe or trustworthy and that she can't safely go in front of you. If you see her start to go inside say "uh oh,, outside" and take her outside.