Originally Posted by JanetM
It sounds like maybe a neighbor put out some poison and the mice for some reason are choosing your property as their final resting place. I'm sorry but I don't know of anything that will get rid of mice that won't also hurt your dog.
Ditto. This was my first thought too. I get the little card board box mouse traps that you assemble so they have the glue pad on the inside. They are called "Catchmaster".
Seems futile when the box stays empty for years but that is how I know I have no mice. I keep them in places I am reminded to check them. They do work.
Good luck. I understand your dislike of them.