I recently rescued an 8 year old terrier mix who probably was in a puppy mill all of her life. I just learned that she has cataracts. I let her outside 2 times in the morning, at lunch, before dinner, and after, and before bedtime. She will not poop outside. I stay outside with her, and sometimes leave her to herself. She does not poop outside but poops on the hallway carpet when I'm not home. I've picked up the carpet and she finds another carpet instead. I don't punish her but am getting frustrated.

It sounds like you're going to be starting at square one with training her. If you can catch her in the act, try to distract her so she doesn't go in the house. Bring her immediately outside. Bring treats with you. If she does go outside make sure you give her a treat right away and lots of praise.

Well first I wan to commend you for choosing rescue, especially one from a puppy mill.

The sad truth is, is she may always have house breaking issues. You have to remember where she came from and imagine her living environment. She was allowed to eliminate where ever she felt necessary.

With that being said, it may take more time to get her used to going out side. You have to treat her like a puppy, in the sense that she doesn't know what the acceptable behavior you are expecting from her is yet.

Be persistent, and consistent. I wouldn't recommend using pee pads, that will only lead to more confusion. When you are away you may want to consider barricading her or kenneling her. How long have you had her? And how long would you say you are staying out side with her? Are you taking her out as soon as she is done eating?

Aurora Bell is right. If you keep her in an enclosed area, like a crate, when you're away she will be less likely to go in the house because dogs don't like to sleep where they go potty. If you decided on crate training make sure she knows that her crate is her happy place and not punishment. Give her toys and treats when she goes in her crate if you decided to do that.

Honestly, if she was from a puppy mill odds are she is used to sleeping in her own feces.

It is going to be a long hard road but hopefully you will see some good results eventually. Just remember, 8 years of mistreatment and bad habits are going to be hard to break.

As much as I don't like them, if outside doesn't work would you consider using puppy pads or a litter box? It really depends on where she was kept in the mill but if she was permanently crated inside (as a lot of them are) then going outside just might not seem natural to her.

Edit - whoops just noticed Aurora said not to use pee pads. It depends on the individual dog as to whether they work. I actually have been using them with my puppy as it's hard to get him outside and he is finally starting to learn after nearly 3 months.

If she can't see properly, outside is going to seem a lot more scary to her. A lot of dogs won't go potty where they don't feel safe.

This may sound strange (along with training her as you would a puppy), can you set up a more enclosed area in the yard where you want her to potty? Maybe using privacy fencing or tarps to mimic walls.

Since the feel of the ground is also probably new to her, make sure you spend play time outside letting her get used to the feel of grass and dirt.

Congratulations on the new member of the family.

I would recommend exercise. It sounds like maybe she is off leash in the backyard when you let her out? Try taking her for a brisk long walk. This often will "move" them to go, even if they prefer not to. Congrats on your new family member!

My rescue couldn't be housebroken until she became familiar with her surroundings, wasn't frightened to be outside. Before that she "pooped" only in safe, familiar places - like the house!