housebreaking a puppy

Question
Hello. We have a 12 week Beagle puppy that we are trying to housebreak. We do use a crate. The breeder told us to get a minimum 2 x 3 crate, put the bedding in the back and the newspaper in the front. I take her outside every 15 minutes unless she is sleeping to go potty. She usually is sniffing everywhere. In the beginning when we got her at 7 weeks she wouldn't go to the bathroom she would sniff. In two weeks she would go immediately and then check everything out. Now, she sniffs and sniffs and chases leaves. After 5-10 minutes w/o doing anything I bring her in and back in her crate. Within 5-10 minutes she pees on the paper. Any suggestions on how to have her crate/bedding and how to housebreak?
Potty training my two children was much easier and quicker!

I appreciate your advice.
Thank you,
Tracy

Answer
When you take her out is she on a leash? You may have trained her to do all her sniffing first if she thinks that after she goes to the bathroom she has to go back in the house. Take her outside and tell her "Go potty". Keep her on a leash so she can't run around and sniff. When she goes give her a treat and praise her. After she goes allow her time to sniff and play outside. Then, take her inside and give her another treat. If she doesn't go potty take her back in and try it again in 5 to 10 minutes. Consistency is the key and a lot of time and effort but, once she has mastered housebreaking you will have a great pet.