Do you walk her daily? It does sound like she's a little confused as has been said, but as far as wanting to go outside every 5 minutes, maybe you're not giving her enough time to play out there aside from pottying.
Here's what I'd do - take her out at regular intervals to potty, stay out there until she does, then give her a few minutes to play/explore out there as a reward for going. If she likes being out there but learns that as soon as she eliminates, she'll have to go back inside, she could be holding it to stay out there longer and then since she doesn't go, she can't hold it once back in the house.
The other thing I think is important is to start a routine with her where about twice a day (when you have the most time to devote to her), let her play outside for a good half an hour and/or go for a walk. That way, she'll get her fill of exploring the outside and you can refocus the standard housebreaking techniques for the shorter "potty breaks". If she's not getting enough "outside time" just for play, then she will keep bugging you to go out and housbreaking will become very confusing for her. If she's had that fun time and you are sure she's peed and pooed recently but still bugs you to go out, don't take her, distract her with toys or play or affection instead.
I know alot of people swear by the "bell technique", but I won't use one for this exact reason -even if my dogs have gone for a two hour walk and have just gone to the bathroom, they'd still ring that bell constantly. If I let my dogs go in and out every five minutes, they'd gladly do it whether they had to potty or not. At least one daily walk and one more half hour spent outside with them (weather permiting) and a few short potty breaks inbetween, and they have no reason to "alert" me that they have to go, they have plently of opportunities. I do use piddle pads for 6 month old Alice for right now since she can't "hold it" yet as well as the bigger dogs and has to pee much more frequently, but she's learning the "routine" and using them a little less. |