I recently rescued a Pomeranian from a breeding facility. The information I received from the rescue organization is that she has been bred repeatedly for 8 years and that the breeders themselves 'debarked' her! She is about 8 years old, has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and hypothyroidism for which she is now on meds. I gather that the practice of this breeder is to simply give the exhausted animals away, thus not worrying about the new owner's ability to provide vet care.
She seems to have attached herself to me and is constantly at my heels. She pees outside but has been pooping indoors most of the time. Because I have not caught her doing this, it is difficult to correct her after the fact. She has, however, been caught both peeing and pooping inside immediately after I leave for work (a protest I think). I have been crating her before I leave if no one else is home.
I have not had her on a lead in the house as she seems to be beside me anyway. Have not had her on walks much as the vet has warned me against this, partly due to the heat and partly because her exercise tolerance is poor. Any advice re steps I can take would be helpful.

Housebreaking older dogs is just like housebreaking a pup. Even though she is near you most of the time I would still tether her to you - you have much more control and she can't sneak away to poop.

Take her out often and make a huge deal when she goes outside- I call it a potty party. I got so good at the potty party that I have had 3 dogs that would fake pee just to get the praise.

If she is going in the house right after you leave she did not get enough time outside to do what she needed to do. If that is the case, I would crate her until another family member can take her out. You need to break that behavior before it becomes a bad habit.

Be consistent- dogs love regular schedules. Paul once spent 20 minutes looking for Toni after I left for work- she was in her crate with the door open the whole time- I always take her out right before I leave for work and then I put her in her crate. He happened to be home that morning but her routine was to go to her crate so that's what she did.

What should I tether her to me with? How long is reasonable to stand outside with her? She does
pee out there but, for the most part, stands at my feet looking up at me. I never see her pooping.
I do make a fuss over her when she pees. I guess she has been kennelled for most of her life....
Would like to avoid the pitfall of spoiling the small cute dog so don't pick her up except to ferry her
up and down stairs (which she isn't supposed to climb because of "severely subluxating patellas")

I'm a HUGE fan of tethering my adoptees/rescues for learning (or just reinforcing) potty training. I have a piece of an old light long line I use.

Tethering is even more urgent if you never see her pooping.

Being kenneled has taught her to go inside. It takes a concerted effort to break through that. I have spent loooong periods outside with a new adoptee so the dog would have to go poop or pee outdoors and get instant praise and rewards.

Moving around outside can stimulate peristalsis (and therefore pooping).

(Also, at the beginning, I did employ picking up when the dog was tethered to me and started a squat or other potty-posture -- I would hustle her outside and then start the potty party as soon as she went potty outside.)

It's worth a huge effort at the start with these dogs who have been forced to think potty belongs inside.

Ditto on the tethering!

If a dog or puppy makes a mistake in the house it's not the dog's or the puppy's fault.

 Quote: Bob Scott

Ditto on the tethering!

If a dog or puppy makes a mistake in the house it's not the dog's or the puppy's fault.

Maybe the most crucial point!



The dog (or puppy) was indoors when s/he needed to be outdoors ...

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Bob Scott

Ditto on the tethering!

If a dog or puppy makes a mistake in the house it's not the dog's or the puppy's fault.

Maybe the most crucial point!



The dog (or puppy) was indoors when s/he needed to be outdoors ...

100%

Am embarrassed to say that I had her tethered today and had to finish painting a room so was
not able to watch her every minute....and she pooped when I wasn't looking. My fault, I know.

The visits to the yard are frustrating. She pees out there and I am effusive in my praise.....after
which she just stands at my feet and looks at me. It's a war of attrition. I don't think I've seen her poop at all in two and a half weeks. I did pick it up once and put it outside but she seems to have no interest in sniffing around the yard. Was hoping she would recognize it and it would trigger something. Guess I will just take my copy of War & Peace and go sit in the yard with her for as long as I can stand it. Or should I try walking her? She hasn't much exercise tolerance because of the heat here and her congestive heart failure plus her hypothyroidism has made her round and bow-legged so walking appears to take some effort.

I would get an down, and keep it by the door. When you Can not watch her, in she goes.
Closer to the potty door the better. I would rather a habit in one room than all the rooms.
Than take her out every 20 min. And have a special super yummy potty treat. Little dogs usually have big tummies.
8 years of soiling in a kennel is not going to be a quick fix. But persistence will pay off hopefully!
Save all fun stuff for outside too. Usually, for me, potty training is the only thing we do, but maybe if she can get moving, she might go.

 Quote: Kelly

Housebreaking older dogs is just like housebreaking a pup. Even though she is near you most of the time I would still tether her to you - you have much more control and she can't sneak away to poop.

Take her out often and make a huge deal when she goes outside- I call it a potty party. I got so good at the potty party that I have had 3 dogs that would fake pee just to get the praise.

If she is going in the house right after you leave she did not get enough time outside to do what she needed to do. If that is the case, I would crate her until another family member can take her out. You need to break that behavior before it becomes a bad habit.

Be consistent- dogs love regular schedules. Paul once spent 20 minutes looking for Toni after I left for work- she was in her crate with the door open the whole time- I always take her out right before I leave for work and then I put her in her crate. He happened to be home that morning but her routine was to go to her crate so that's what she did.

AW-W-W-W, good dog, Toni !!!