BloomBunny
Songster
It seems like you have identified the problem well, and taken some successful action. You need to fine tune things to get the results you want. A couple of things to think about:I take her out every hour and after she goes she immediately gets a treat. She gets one for ringing the bell to go potty. She gets one for wiping her paws after coming in. We tried the no bedding in the crate and she just peed on the floor under the crate. She gets told over and over with positive reinforcement what a good girl she is when she pees outside. Ive read soooo many books and soooo many articles on this. Ive learned her anxious peeing is similar to that of a dog peeing because it's excited. The way she is....its just like she forgets we are not jerks. She's very defensive of her urine and can get aggressive if she's afraid. She's such a sweet and smart dog. I just want to help her. I'm trying to be patient but it's almost been a year now
Food rewards might not be enough now. Some dogs can be motivated by excitement and special toy. [example: carry her fav toy outside with you, get insanely happy when she pees, victory dance back into the house, reward with toy once inside - you know better exactly how to use other rewards if you think it might help]
You've been working at this a while, so you're naturally frustrated, but you've got a perceptive dog. That trait is going to make her a great dog, but right now, when you get the slightest bit frustrated about the pending cleanup job, it triggers her anxiety. You know best how to manage the frustration for you and SO. One day this will just be a funny story. FWIW, I'd try to forget thinking of her as a dog who used to have an idiot owner, and more as a dog who is adjusting to a loving home. You'll get there before you know it.