Potty training a Papillon

Question
Hello...

I know that Papillons are a very difficult breed to potty train.  We own a papillon who just turned a year old and is still having difficulty with it.  The problem is that she seems to be trained.  We can go for a month with no issue at all, and then suddenly it's as if she reverts and there are new pee and poop spots in the house.  

We had considered crate training, but neither of our jobs would allow us to go home periodically to let her out.  I'm gone 11 hours a day, and my husband sometimes more than that.  We have a pug as well, and she's trained just fine now, but our papillon (who is a highly intelligent dog) just can't seem to get the hang of it.

I've considered trying the potty pads, but I'm not sure if I should put one in the kitchen or maybe try sticking them outside right near the doggy door.  I also worry that our crazy pug will have the thing ripped to shreds by the time we get home.  ;)

Any advice you can give would be very much appreciated.  Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.  :)

Answer
Since your work schedule really doesn't allow for crating her, I would suggest some other form of confinement that does not give her a >>lot<< of freedom, but enough so that if she >>does<< potty on the floor, she's not having to lay in/near it or whatever. Is the doggie door in the door that you and your husband use to leave the house when you go to work and come home? If not, I would get an exercise pen (x-pen) and put it at the doggie door, so that the dogs only have a small area inside. That should help to train her to go out to do her business. Do this for at least a month to 6 weeks, and then (if you can) make the area bigger by scooting the x-pen back some, or putting up a baby gate (I am assuming that there is some sort of hallway or something at the door with the doggie door).


Or, if you want, you can try litter box training her. I have had much more success with that than potty pads. Please see http://housetraining.angelfire.com for more information.