transitioning off potty pads to outside

Question
I have just gotten an 8 mo. old shih tzu. She was trained on potty pads.  She is crate trained for day time while I'm at work, and to sleep at night.  I took up the potty pads and have taken her out every 30 min. today to see if she would go.  She hasn't and has not gone in the house either.  I took outside some soiled pads for scent, rubbed some on the grass, and have several clean pads out there also.  This hasn't stimulated her.  I'm going to be doing this for 3 days straight to see if she can go once - if she can, there is a possibility of transitioning her off the pads with continued training.  I work 5 days/wk so I can't be with her 24/7.   My concern is - what if she is one that just won't transition off?  I've read that some just start going everywhere there is something on the floor after being on the pads for several years.  I'd prefer to housebreak her, but it's not looking good.  Any advice?

Answer
Identify when she needs to go.  It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating, drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older. How successful you are depends on how attentive you are.  

Try taking her out the first thing in the morning.  Choose a command and spot you want it to use. Put a pad there.  Choosing a non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around.  If it doesn't go, walk it around until it does.   They can only walk and hold it so long.   If it does anything, praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it, and maybe a treat.  It may take several times before she catches on to going outside.