My 1 yr old Schnorkie does not signal to go outside

I have a 1yr old Schnorkie we adopted when she was 3 months old.  She does not signal when she has to go out other than circle the coffeetable a few times.  I use a clicker for her obedience training and try and get her to "speak" before we go out the back door for potty, but she won;t bark.  But, she'll certainly bark if she wants something like her ball under the couch!  I have bells on the back door and for months I'd have her "touch" the bells before going outside, but this never caught on with her.  She'll jump in our bed and just pee.  She was in my sons' bed the other day and just squated and poo'd in his bed.  We are wits end here.  She's the only dog we have. She is in advanced training class right now and doing well.  A little "stubborn" and talkative at times, but we figure its the terrier in her.  We crate her at night and she can go for 8-10 hours. So, we know she can Hold it.  I've always had dogs who are housetrained by the age of 4-5 months.  Please help if it is a behavioral issue, I do not have the money to hire someone local, as the average rate is $75 per hour.  Any suggestions you have would be great.

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Before we assume that this is totally behavioral please have her urine checked for urinary tract infection and have her vulva check to see if it is abnormal, i.e. recessed, or immature.  If these are not issues than it must be truly behavioral.


You have tried to be nice, so now it is time for scolding.  Since it seems that she will pee in front of you, you must of course catch her in the act.  Right after she pees inappropriately or even during the episode, you must do something that she hates, such as putting a drop of red hot chili pepper sauce on her tongue, or spraying her face with water from a water gun, or shaking a can of pennies, or blowing an air horn.  Consistency is the key.  If this doesn't work try getting her some doggie diapers.  Dogs who are not incontinent dislike doggie diapers, and it is amazing how many dogs become house trained after using a doggie diaper, in dog's that hate the feeling of being soiled.  

Start with those and if they are ineffective please post.