Crate training and house breaking

Question
We brought home a 2 1/2 month old chow puppy from the breeder's two weeks ago.  Up until the past few days we have had no problems with getting our puppy to go to the bathroom outdoors.  After a night in his crate he has been vocal to let us know that he needs to be let out.  After meals he is let out again within roughly 10 mins. and is praised.  However, the puppy has started to pee on the hardwood floor in the same area on several occassions, even though we are home and he has been let out, sometimes we have just turned our heads (ex: while eating our breakfast). After we have discovered that he has gone on the floor we let him know that we are unhappy with him and send him outdoors.  The members of our household have gone back to work this week, and we are usure if this new habit of his is attributed to this or how we can get him to stop.  Another issue we have encountered is properly luring the puppy into his crate at night.  We have tried to several times to use toys or treats and he will not go put his paws/body in on his own.  We have been placing him in ourselves, which we know is not the best method however, is there anything else we can do?

Thanks in advance, any suggestions, ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Stefanii

Answer
I am afraid you are just going to have to watch him better.  When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. If you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. When you can't watch it, crate it.

Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents. I am slower to suggest that. Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it. When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out.  So keep an eye on that spot.