Thanks for the great feedback! Maggie is 4 but was a mill rescue and so I consider her "puppy" as far as training goes...she does not walk politely on a leash (we are working on it!), and will not tell me when she needs to go out so I try to just stick to a strict schedule and put her in her crate if I can't be in the room (but I work from home so its not often). I think you are right, that I need to stay out longer
She likes to run up and down the steps and during those first 5 min might not even have potty on the mind, she's probably just thinking "steps! steps! steps!"
PS. As I write this she is sleeping and has the hiccups - so CUTE! lol