[BonamassaGirl]

If you are with your puppy all the time, you just have to remember to take her out OFTEN. First thing in the morning, about 10 minutes after every meal, or drink, and usually about every 2 hours throughout the day. To help, you can try getting her on a feeding schedule, if she's 4 months, you are probably feeding her 3x a day- this will help with housebreaking... Schatzie is 11 and 1/2 weeks old and she has few accidents, usually at night when I'm busy making dinner or something and forget to take her out (it's MY fault!)...otherwise she is great about going outside-

The crate should be for sleeping, transporting, and keeping her safe if you're out and can't take her with you, IMO. You say you want want her to be trained outside, then don't use the pee pads, she will be confused and end up going everywhere.

Some people think it's a good idea to crate train, meaning keeping the puppy in the crate and letting it out for eating, playtime and bathroom only, the theory being that a dog won't soil where it sleeps, etc. but I don't do this.

What has worked best for me with my dogs, is to keep them in a gated off area (like a kitchen) with their toys, food/water bowls and their crate with a blanket (door open so they can go in and out...) and taking them out to go potty ALL THE TIME. I say to them, "go potty" over and over, and when they do, I praise them like crazy. Also, for night time, I cut off their water 2 hours before their bedtime, take them out for one last potty break to help reduce the chance of an overnight accident. I put them in their crates for the night and I have NEVER had a nighttime accident with them. I hope this helps, don't worry, she'll get the hang of it!!