For the new dog owner there is nothing quite as frustrating as potty training a dog. Teaching your dog that she needs to go outside when she needs to go to the bathroom is what house training is all about. It will take a little time but if you are patient with your new four legged friend she will soon do her business outside.
The first thing you will need to do is realize that punishing your dog is not the best way to get them to do what you want them to. Most dogs relieve themselves in the house because they don't know any better. Many times they will actually wait outside patiently until you let them in and then relieve themselves because that is what they are used to. Catching them in the act and giving a firm "No" and then taking them outside works best if this is the case. Rubbing their nose in it and yelling at them can actually make the problem worse because your dog will come to fear you instead of learning from her mistakes.
The newspaper method is one of the easier ways to housebreak a dog. This method if done correctly will actually allow you to train your dog to go on command. Pick a certain area inside your house as the designated doggy bathroom and lay down several layers of newspaper. Every hour or so take your dog to the designated newspaper spot and tell him to go potty, or any other command you wish to use for this task. You do have to be consistent and use the same command every time.
She will eventually go to the bathroom on the newspaper and when she does be sure to give praise. Also keep a close eye on her around the house and watch for signs that she needs to go to the bathroom. When you spot this behavior take her to the newspaper and give the command to go potty. As she learns to go on command you can start taking her outside to do her business until she learns that is where she is to go.
Potty training a dog is not the most difficult thing to do, but you do have to spend some time and have some patience with your dog to be successful. Once your dog has learned to go outside to relieve herself you can spend more time just enjoying the company a dog brings to you and your family.