Undoing training mistakes

Question
We have a 4 mo old poodle mix.  We got her at 8 weeks.  For the past 2 months we have done many things wrong.  We didn't crate train her.  I have never crate trained a dog before.  She sleeps with us. ect..  We are retired and are home most of the time.  She has a back yard and usually goes potty out side when we make her go out.  When we get busy and can't play with her she is always underfoot.  She still has accidents in the house.  How do I teach her to go to the door when she wants to go out.  She will go if I take her, but does not show any initiative on her own.  I know I have made many mistakes with her.  I baby her and pick her up all the time. She is a relatively good dog, friendly and good-natured, its this housebreaking problem we frustrated with.

Thank You

Debbi

Answer
Does she know how to "speak"?  If not, teach her speak, then every time you're ready to take her out, take her to the door, have her sit and speak.  Praise her then let her out.  She should start associating speaking with going out and hopefully will go to the door when she wants to go out.