Staci, It already sounds like you already know that Keegan really doesn't know outside is for pee. I know you are crate training but my question is how? Anyone who crate trains a puppy correctly should have a completely potty trained pup by 16 weeks at the latest. Most people do not crate train properly because they feel it is NOT FAIR to the pup to be in the crate EVEN WHEN YOUR HOME! Here's my take on it.....

Until the pup PROVES to me that they can potty outside successfully they do NOT get run of the house! When someone comes to me and says they are having problems with the dog going potty in the house then I immediately look to how they crate train.

Proper crate training will endear the dog to the crate and will make it feel like a safe haven and a place of comfort and security and not a place of dread and I can't wait to get out of here feeling!

A new puppy should be taken out even in the middle of the night to piddle every two to three hours. When you open the crate door, IMMEDIATELY, with no stops in between the pup is taken outside. You are to go outside with her and take her to the location in your yard that you want her to piddle. Some people who have fenced in yards do not see the point in going out too, especially if it is cold out but this is very important in the training process. Give the command "GO POTTY" over and over again until she squats and goes. Then give her the biggest fuss and praise party you can to let her know she did good! If she does not potty within 3 or 4 minutes, take her back into the house and PROMPTLY put her in her crate again. In about 5 minutes or so you can repeat the procedure with giving her the Command "GO POTTY" and making the fuss if she does. If not within 3 or 4 minutes do this again and continue until she gets the message. NEVER let her run around the house if she has not pottied. She is always to go back into the crate!

If she does go potty outside then you can bring her into the house and let her roam and play outside the crate. However, if she plays to the point of getting tired and falls asleep, then you should pick her up and put her in the crate again. She may wake up when you lift her but soothe her with soft whispers and put her in the crate anyway. If she stays awake (she may of just taken a 2 second puppy power nap) then take her outside to potty. When she awakes the first thing she will need to do is potty again.

Don't think of the crate as a confinement for the dog. Think of it as a training tool. If you NEVER let her have free roam of the house without going Potty first, Giving her the "GO POTTY" command and making a big fuss over her, she will soon learn "HEY mom likes it when I piddle out here but not in the house"!

Final thought! Even after you think she has it down she may have an ACCIDENT. You are right not to rub her nose in it. However, you are able to correct her from the action if you catch her in the act! Startle her and make a displeasing sound such as "KEEGAN STOP!!" SHAME ON YOU. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS???? as you pick her up and scoot her little butt out the front door. Once she is outside give her the "GO POTTY" command again. Chances are she will look at you like your a nut once she is outside and won't have to potty again so after a few minutes bring her back into the house but put her in the crate. You can hug her and give her comfort when you bring her back in but don't give her free reign of the house again until she successfully potties outside.

NOTE: If you don't catch her in the act then just clean it up and forget about it!

Happy Training!