Hello, I need help with my recently adopted dog. She’s having accidents and I don’t know why or how to correct it. I did search the subreddit for similar questions and found some but none that matched my specific situation.

I adopted a female dog in October, she’s approximately five years old according to the vet and suspected to be a Maltese mix. The vet also thinks she is not spayed yet but she has not had a heat cycle since I got her so we’re not complete sure. I got her from Facebook, a lady had found her wandering around and badly neglected, tried to find her owner to no avail and she was not microchipped so she rehomed her on FB to me. I had asked this woman if the dog had any issues with potty training and she said no, that the dog only had accidents in the morning if she wasn’t taken outside right away. I have not found this to be true.

Right now I’m currently taking her outside every 3.5-4.5 hours. I live on second floor of apartment in North Dakota winter so this is no easy undertaking but I’ve been dedicated to letting her out on this schedule to avoid accidents, but it hasn’t helped.

Some scenarios in which she’s had an accident: 1) we were outside for ages and she wouldn’t poop so I finally accept that she doesn’t have to go, just for her to go inside once we’re back upstairs.

2) she pees outside the door when I’m using the bathroom

3) it is close to the 4 hour mark and she pees inside

4) it is not close to the 4 hour mark and she pees inside

I cant find any rhyme or reason to her accidents. I have tried some things to help.

Things I’ve tried: 1) bringing her into the bathroom with me in case the accidents are separation anxiety related

2) giving her treats and praise after every time she goes to the bathroom outside

3) establishing something of a routine as far as feeding/potty schedule

4) keeping her area of roaming limited to the area that I’m in (closing bedroom doors while I’m in living room)

5) using go potty command

I don’t know what else to try, my apartment is starting to smell. I don’t want to give up but I’m about at my wits end. Any guidance is appreciated.

Edit: I have not tried crate training but I work from home. Is it appropriate to kennel her while I’m working? I also enjoy playing video games at my computer in the evening, is this also an appropriate time to crate her? I do crate her at night in my room, and she whines throughout but it’s better than her 1) barking if I kennel her in a different room and 2) peeing on my bedroom floor.