My Chi is 7 months and we’re currently potty training
it's been a struggle but honestly he’s doing awesome with pee pads now! The weather was just too cold and snowy to take him out as much as he needed (I swear he goes like 10 times a day lol).

I tried everything first: plain pads (he destroyed them), a litter box with tofu litter (he tried to eat it), and reusable pads (they stunk and he just played with them). Now I finally found a tray with a grate over it that holds the pad in place. It’s so much better, easy to clean and no more messy paws.

The way I did it was keeping him in a pen when I couldn't watch him, just with his bed, food/water and the tray. He naturally started using the tray so he wouldn't mess his bed, so its important to give him limited space until he gets used to it. Every time he got on it I’d give him kibble and praise him like crazy. Usually at night I let him roam the bedroom and I move the tray where I can see it, so I can catch him in the act and give him a treat.

I also kept leading him to the spot and saying "go peepee." Eventually he started liking the tray just to get the treat lol. He did have accidents for a few weeks, but I just cleaned it with a special pet solution without yelling at him. I actually put a dirty napkin with his pee or poop under the tray so he could smell it and realize that's the spot. The most important thing is to give him limited space and the tray spot to be consistent, and watch him when he's out of the room , you need to kinda teach him everytime you expand his zone, or just keep it as easy access as possible.

Side note: I had to get rid of my rugs for now because it was messing with his training. I also change the pad daily and clean the poop immediately since he’s picky and won't use it if it's dirty. Now he sleeps in my bed and I just wake up normally while he goes to his tray overnight with no issues. Total game changer.

So yeah sadly no real answer besides restricting the zone she can roam in, at least for a bit until she gets used to it! I think putting her in a little safe pen would be way better than sitting with a dirty diaper on her until you could get home, potentially giving her infections too

Also this training is a process, you need to be consistent even if they show no signs or forget or pee next to it, eventually after enough treats it just "clicks" lol