She probably went to the pee pad in her kennel run -- or in a house with all wood floors and NOTHING fabric on the floor at all. She now she's gravitating to anything absorbent -- and that's not uncommon.
Don't feel a failure -- she's just a baby who needs consistency and attention (and as a show dog she got certain *kinds* of attention but not necessarily productive attention from people who matter!!)
A lot of small dogs (pugs included *sigh* look at MY signature) tend to be puppies a LONG time. It can take a long, long time to housetrain them and even longer for them to be really reliable.
Now -- I'm going to tell you something different than some on here. I **never** treat for housetraining. Because I've had it backfire too much -- "OH... I get a treat for THAT??? HERE I can do that right HERE!! Treat please???"
Instead I make it almost a religion to watch the dog constantly. I don't schedule (it usually doesn't work for me) -- but rather I watch the dog for signs that she's gotta "go" -- sniffing, circling, investigating new places or trying to ditch me (so the dog can go "n peace" somewhere I'm not!!)
Any sign that the dog is "looking" (or if it's an appropriate time -- like after sleeping, after eating, after drinking, after any "break" in the natural continuity of things) out we go on leash. But then I do ALL the positive reinforcement with my face, my voice, my body language and PLAY -- I don't let them "play" while we're out for a potty break -- but pee for me and THEN you get to play and I'll produce the toy to do that with!!!
Also when on leash outside (and it is NOT uncommon at all for a small dog to not be leashed trained -- unfortunately too many people think taking a small dog means a purse or carrying them -- SHEESH!!!) and the dog happens to go -- you also praise and play and generally have a "party".
Do watch it tho -- don't just go inside after they pee/poop. And don't turn around and go home on a walk either -- if you do that then they definitely will "put off" going!!
I do also take the towels I use to clean up waste and go put them out IN the yard where I want the dog to go. Then I go get the dog on leash -- let them sniff where they went and say "Nope, not there!" and then take them directly to the towel and say "OUT here! Yes, that's yours!!"
Do they understand all the worlds? Nope ... not at first. But they will eventually.
But be patient. You can begin elementary obedience at home. Teaching "sit". Teaching "come" (use a long leash -- you can do it even in the house by using a piece of ribbon!!)
Does your town have a dog training club? That can sometimes open up training opportunities.
The big deal is teaching this dog to WANT to please you. This dog has likely simply been one of many ... so putting this dog in the position to be rewarded for pleasing you ... that's a big deal. And it's tougher on you -- because you have to set everything up so microscopically -- but you WILL succeed!!
Maltese are not renown for being easy to train. But they aren't stupid ... but the whole concept of a person *talking* to her and gee, you mean I"m s'posed to DO soemthing?" That may be a whole different deal.
When we took Luna she was 9 months old -- and the woman who had her really never had trained her at all. She grew up in doggie daycare -- so with other DOGS she was social as heck (she still "plays with others" better than any dog I've ever had). But with humans??? sheesh -- NOT so much!!
It took me months to really get it thru to her that YES -- I spoke TO **YOU** and you need to DO something!! When I talk to you I *expect* something.
She's a VERY bright dog -- but that fact that she was essentially completely untrained by human hands prior to us getting her at 9 months old was a HUGE challenge. She requires a very consistent hand, even today (years later) and she and my husband work VERY well together).
A couple of suggestions:
1. Have your husband feed this little one. Having food come from his hands may be a big deal. Particularly if he will take the time and use a few pieces of kibble to ask for a "sit" (and maybe teach 'stand' and then 'sit' again) so she can discover that those huge hands of his that smell so different are GOOD things.
2. The dog likely hasn't heard male voices ... and it IS different. His height may also be a big deal -- you might have him lie on the floor near her. Just with some high value treats in his hand. Something really yummy -- and maybe something ONLY **he** gives her. But yep -- come near me and you'll get something good. Don't require 'touching' at first -- just "near". Or even tossing them at her -- but tossing them less far each time.
3. Another awesome game -- I do this with **every** newbie at my house. It can accomplish MANY things. And I would tell **both** of you to do this -- at different times, in different places -- in the house, all times of the day, outside the house -- EVERYWHERE.
Start sitting on the floor in front of the dog cross-legged. have some SUPER high value treats for this to start (the BEST to start with).
Hold one in each fist. Place your fists on your knees. Call the dog in front of you (don't require a sit or anything just "presence";). Then with a very soft non-authoritative voice say the dog's name.
The **INSTANT** you get even the flicker of an eye at you offer the treat (and getting it IN the mouth is a plus).
Look away for a few seconds. Then once again -- just say the dog's name.
Again the **instant** you get a look give the treat.
The goal is you want this dog to think that it's name on your lips is THE BEST THING ***EVER***.
Make this game a focus for weeks. And modify it constantly. At first you're on the floor in the famaily room. Next sit on the sofa and do it. Then take it to the kitchen. The hall outside the bedroom ... OUTSIDE --
Make your position less formal --- do it eventually while standing. While the dog is FAR away from you (toss the treat TO the dog JUST for looking at you).
In other words -- you're teaching this dog that it's NAME on your lips (and your husband's lips) is just the greatest thing ever.
Make SURE when you are dealing with accidents, you don't just say the dogs name in a disapproving tone.
Now "Tink, nope not here!" is fine. But not just "TINK!!!" (and it's SO easy to do -- even 2 years later my husband and I both catch ourselves doing it).
This does many things. It sets the stage for obedience -- because getting a dog's **attention** is a big fat frigging deal. You can't teach them diddly squat if you can't GET **and hold** their attention.
But it also gets their attention in a multitude of places. You can't just teach a dog to "sit" before you put it's bowl down. The word "sit" then means "food". You have to teach commands in all different rooms, inside and outside .... even with you standing ... and sitting ....
One of the most difficult things in training is that dogs are extremely "spatially" oriented. They may do that down-stay PERFECTLY in your livingroom at home - but they get to obedience class and you'd think they'd never heard of it. That's because they identify a thing with a particular time and place.
That's also part of what makes house-training so difficult. Because it's a VERY broad concept we want to teach.
We don't just want them to "do" a particular behavior. We want that behavior done at a particular time -- and n a particular spot.
Maybe not just 'Outside' -- but outside on GRASS not under the carport or on the patio or deck.
Given that they have no language skills like ours (and this baby is probably missing them all together) it takes time. And patience.
It sounds SO easy -- that taking a dog that is a retired show dog and making it into a house pet? whoa -- NOT so easy. Not easy at all.
Oh and btw -- before you freak out totally -- go to the vet and have the vet test her urine. She's about to sexually mature, AND she's in a different place with a different schedule and different food and rules. She could have a UTI and no one may ever know it. She could have had one for months and when you're merely part of an "army' in a kennel, it can completely be ignored.