I have recently adpoted an young adult (12 months) mongrel (terrier cross). She is a lovely dog, eager to please and well behaved, but I am having trouble housetraining her.

I have been ignoring her 'accidents' inside (always the same room but not the same place - I have been using a biological washing powder solution to clean up) and taking her outside every 2 hours.
No matter what I do she will not do anything outside, and later soils in the house. I have never managed to catch her in the act, despite following her around. She seems to go when she knows I am unavailable; showering, washing up or asleep. I wonder if she has been punished for doing it in the wrong place in her previous home?

I accept that it will take time, but how can I use the reward method if she won't 'go' outside? 

She was only in the rescue centre for around 10 days.

Hi Guest,

It may be as you suggest that she's been punished previously for going indoors and associated this with not eliminating in front of "her humans" :(    Be patient, she will learn but you may need to continue with the basic house training for a while until she makes the association of "outside only" ;)

Try taking her for regular short walks through the course of the day (specifically for her to toilet rather than exercise) and if and when she does perform, make a fuss of her BUT not too over excited on your part in case it worries her - perhaps just sound jolly, say "good girl" and give her a tiny treat.  It would also help if you can use a word or phrase such as "busy" or "hurry up" that she will eventually associate with what she's getting right - but you need to use this word as she starts to eliminate, not after! 

Why not join the forum - you may find you have 101 questions

Regards, Teri :)

I would suggest the use of a crate for those occasions you can't watch her.
Archer

Have now joined message board!
Thanks for the advice. Last night we had toileting in the garden for the first time. I was on the phone and noticed her being restless. Opened the door and success!! Person at the other end of the phone was highly amused! Praised and gave a small treat. Hopeful of a repeat later!

Suggests she is secretive about it and hates being watched. Again seems like she was punished for it previously. Hope she will also improve once she can go out for a walk (confined to garden at moment (for only 2 more days!!) after jabs @ rescue place)

I would treat her just as I would an 8 week old pup.  Restrict her access to most of the house, especially the room she has chosen as a toilet. 

I would be taking her outside more than every two hours hoping for ehr to perform. 

If you can praise her while in the act as opposed to when she comes back in (during or within 3 seconds of the act), this will then make it clear what she is praised for.  As she gets used to you and trusts you more she will be wanting your approval so will tend to repeat the actions that got it.

I have had pups go running outside to sqeezew outr a few drops or pretend to perform just so they coudl get the treat or praise :D

I was out of her sight but watching as she did it and praised her during. She 'smiled' at me so was  aware that I was pleased with her.

We have been taking her out probably around every couple of hours, but I have noticed that she only seems to go during the evening (although she is on 2 feeds 9am and 4pm as recommended by the dogs trust). Hoping if I can get her at the right time and make sure we are outside she will continue to improve.

She has also stopped squeaking to come in the bedroom at night and sleeps fine in her bed. Probably still settling in.

My previous dog (gorgeous female Weimaraner who lived to 14) used to go outside the door, turn round and come back, just for a treat - especially if it was liver cake.