doggy question

[TsPoet]

Many dogs won't eliminate on leash if they aren't used to it. I've babysat friends dogs who wouldn't go on our nightly walks. Usually by the end of the week, they are going just fine. I think they just don't know what to expect.
Take her somewhere that has been well-used by other dogs. If you can find an errant pile and let her sniff and wander around that would be great. Even female dogs will mark, so take her to a bush or something that you know other dogs frequent.

As far as peeing after the cat harassed her be very very careful you do not correct her for this - it is submissive peeing, so if you correct her you are actually reinforcing the submissiveness.

[badger]

I ignored her altogether while/after she peed. I knew it wasn't an "accident", but more out of fear.

She did poo when I went home for lunch. I'm hopeful she'll start peeing on her own soon. She's much better today. Still avoids the cat with a ten foot pole, but at least she's not petrified like she was yesterday.

She's ALL OVER on the leash, though. It's so obvious she was never really walked on a leash, or walked at all for that matter.

[indigoiis]

This takes a whole day, but it works.

Make sure you have a crate. If you don't have a crate, you need to gate off a very small area in your kitchen or laundry.

When pup gets up, feed and water.

Put pup on leash, take outside to where you want her to poop. This should be the same area every time you go out. No fun walk until she poops and pees. If she doesn't go, wait a couple of minutes, and go back inside. Put her in the crate or gated area.

Ten minutes later, try it again.

Do this over and over until evenutally, she will go. You can use language like, "go potty" or "do your biz" and when she does it, say, "good go potty!" or whatever language you decide, just letting her know that it's good. If she goes to the bathroom, THEN take her for her fun / play walk. And when she goes back inside with you, she can be free in your house to hang out.

One really important thing - she should sleep in this gated off area or crate each night. Use language like, "bedtime!" or "go to bed now!" in a high, happy voice, and put her in the crate or gated area. If she barks, turn out the light, turn on a radio, and go to bed. A couple of nights and she should be fine.

Routine is key. Keep taking her to the same spot, keep using the same language. Only feed once a day and don't leave her food down. After she "gets" that her potty location is the place to go, you can then bring her there when YOU want her to poop (i.e., after work, before bed, early morning) and she will go (at least pee.)

It has worked for five of my dogs for the past fifteen years... so all I can say is try it!

[MartianDestiny]

Routine is key. Keep taking her to the same spot, keep using the same language. Only feed once a day and don't leave her food down.

I totally agree routine is key and also agree with not leaving food down. However, only feeding once a day can be DEADLY! Especially in medium to large breed dogs that have a higher likelihood of bloating. Even more so in a dog that may have been food deprived or had to fight for food (and without a history on a rescue dog you just don't know). They'll tend to inhale/gorge on their food not knowing if it will go away or if they'll get more and it can lead to all sorts of issues.

Indigoiis' technique is good, and should work, but I'd definitely modify it to include feeding twice, if not three times a day.

[badger]

thanks for all the hints!

I think part of her problem is fear. I have been taking her out in the alleyway where I want her to do her toileting so I can take her elsewhere for her "fun" walk, but I think any walk at this point is terrifying for her. It doesn't help that I live in a very urban area with high traffic.

I'll try the every ten minute thing tomorrow when I'm home all day.

Thankfully she's good in a crate and she slept all night without any incidence. I've been feeding her in her crate and giving her treats when she goes in to make her realize the crate is her good place rather than a bad one. And most importantly, she's safe from the cat in the crate!

I have her with me at work right now, and she's great in that she's very quiet, but she sure is fearful of everyone, especially men. Plenty of socialization is required for this girl!