Is he staying outside for a while when he does bathroom breaks? Or does your friend say, 'okay, all done' and take him indoors right away? Maybe hanging around a few extra minutes outdoors?
Just my opinion. It happened to me during a very bitter cold day, I didn't want to stay outside, saw dog do business and came in. Then, whoops!
Sherry

My dog when he was a puppy would do that. It's unrealistic to think they are reliably housetrained at 5 months so let the puppy stay out there longer, treat for going in the correct place. And use the phrase go potty or something like that. Eventually it will be just one poop and the dog will know.

You don't mention if the dog is being walked or just let outside to do it's thing.

Dogs need to be walked. This gets things moving. This should be done at least twice a day, for about 20 minutes at least.

The dog is 5 months old. There is a huge difference, inside and out of the pup between this age and 8-9 months. Theory has it that dogs should be able to hold it for one hour for each month, up to about a year. Reality is, not that long. Pups drink huge amounts of water, especially after playing, and eat more at this age than they do when they are fully grown. They simply can't hold it for that long until they are about 8-9 months, when their inside plumbing has grown.

At 5 months, the dog is missing out on correct "prime" potty training time. Something that is easily corrected now, very difficult as the dog gets older.

At this stage of the game, I think walking would cure the problem.

Keep us posted!

SG

She needs to make it very clear to him that the potty in the house is "NO NO NO!!!!" as soon as he does it. And equally clear that potty outside is the most wonderful thing he has ever done, with great praise and biscuits as soon as he is all done, outside. Give the praise and biscuits outside so the message is clear.

It sounds like he is getting confused somehow and more reinforcement after each action is necessary.

She isn't walking him long enough. If he's empty when he comes indoors, there won't be accidents. I'm not a puppy person, but believe they need to be walked much more frequently than adult dogs (and adult dogs need 3 to 4 outings a day, not 2.) When she does bring him in, she needs to stay close by and watch for signs that he still needs to go. Puppies shouldn't have run of the house until they are reliably house trained, just too many chances for 'accidents.'

I forgot about praise earlier, couldn't re-post.

It's a must with good treats when pup does it's thing outside.

Distracting pup is also necessary when it does something indoors. Pup should have a leash on at all times when indoors and supervised every second when not crated. If it does something, yelling NO, grabbing the leash and dog, and out it goes. Then heaps of praise and treat when it does it's thing.

SG

I have the same problem with my 6-month-old puppy. She goes outside very good then comes inside & within 15 minutes she has pooed in the house. Sometimes out side she will go twice before she comes in. It seems like she lets out a pretty good size pile (sorry not sure how else to say it) but it isnÂt enough I guess. I have never had problems house training any of my animals so this is new to me. I think that more exercise before she comes back in from her potty break would be a very good idea. I do the praise & potty command & she seems to understand it all, maybe she is in to big of a hurry to go & get back in the house. Any more tips are always welcome. Glad I am not the only one with this problem I have never experienced this before. Terri

My old guy goes atleast twice when he goes out. He'll go once, wander around and then run a lap or two around the yard, and go again. I guess he's always done this, walks or no walks. Usually to me the wandering around would signal he's done and bored, but not for him. He's housetrained, so if he doesn't get his second poop, he holds it, or asks to go out again.

I think one thing people tend to do wrong with potty training (I was guilty with my beagle, at first too) is to take them in as soon as they're done their business. Because they might not be done. Are your dogs asking to go inside when you're out with them, or are you taking them in on your own?? I think it's important to distinguish if he's running around and not wanting to come in because he's just burning off energy, or because he's just not done yet. I think once they learn really well that outside is mainly for doing their business,and then play, not a bit of each every few mins, it should go away.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I called my friend last night and read each of these posts to her. I was thinking the same thing, about lack of exercise, so hopefully with hearing this from all of you, and also from me, she can make some changes and her potty situation will improve. Thanks again.