Housebreaking is an important first lesson for a puppy.  But it sounds like your pup has not been fully housebroken.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Do not allow her to play or socialize when she first goes out; she can play after she eliminates.
• Take her for a walk within 15 to 30 minutes of her eating.   Make them long walks, even beyond the yard, so she will urinate repeatedly and empty her bladder.  Walks between feedings also help.
• Give her a lot of praise, even a treat, every time she urinates.   Praise her as soon as she squats.  This positive reinforcement is important.
• When she is indoors, you need to control her and keep her close to you.  Tie a cord or some small "leash" to her collar and take her wherever you go and tie her to something while you’re in the room. Avoid large cords that could catch on things if she gets loose.
• When she is home alone, confine her in a cage, crate or small room.  Instinct will tell her not to soil the area where she is lying.

You’ll want to continue these practices until you feel she is completely trained.  Also, avoid rubbing her nose in her accidents.  If you catch her in the act of urinating, say a stern "no" then take her outside.   Housebreaking most puppies is not this difficult. Begin training the day the puppy arrives home.  Exercise the pup frequently -- as often as every 2-3 hours -- in one selected area outdoors. Exercise her as soon as she wakes up from sleep or a rest, immediately after meals, before bedtime and a few times in between.  Always use the same door.  Eliminating and urinating will be coincidental at first and then become habit. This routine usually trains a dog in 7-10 days.

This information, prepared as a public service by the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, answers problems Rhode Island veterinarians currently are seeing in their practices, as well as new developments in animal care.