[BellaDonna]

I am doing fairly well with 16 week old Bella so far but I do have to watch her. She does not potty in her crate (unless the hours were to long) and she mostly uses the puppy pad or outside, but she does have a favorite rug in the house so I have to keep close eye on her if she gets near that rug for to long.

As to your problem the first most important is that once she is fed watch her like a hawk and within about 20 mins take her outside and try to wait until she has pooped and pee'd. Once she has done her business put her in the crate. The crate should only be large enough for her to stand, turn around and lay down. If your crate is bigger you need to make it smaller by partitioning it. Since you are having troubles I would leave her in the crate for a couple of hours, then take her from the crate directly outside. If she doesn't potty within a couple of minutes play with her actively for a few minutes then let her sniff around again for a few minutes. If she potties make sure you make a big wonderful deal of it. Not scary loud but tell her how wonderful she is, then play another minute or two. Then back in the house and back in the crate.
A couple of hours later should be the same routine. Then feed her and back in the crate. About 20 minutes or so after each meal she should go out and then about every 2 to 3 hours if there has been no meal.
If she is keeping the crate dry you can add back a small folded blanket and keep it there as long as she doesn't start using it to potty.

The main thing is being consistant. Also don't snack her alot because you need to know when she should have to poop and if she eats all the time you don't know.
One last thing, be patient. Bella takes a lot longer than my Chihuahua's to decide to pee and especially poop. She has to play and sniff and roam then at the last second when I am about to give up she hides behind a potted plant and poops so be patient and watchful!

GOOD LUCK