puppy house breaking

Question
Hello


You said to start with outdoor training right away I will do this during the day but what about when I'm not home or during the night, wont the puppy need somewhere to "go" if he can't get outside?  Would the puppy go on the puppy training pads during the night and when I'm not home and go outside when I am home?  

Answer
If at all possible arrange for somebody to let the puppy out mid day.  If you can't make it home over lunch, try to find a neighbor or even hire a dog walker if you can find one.  Most puppies can go half a day in a crate even from 7 weeks.  The puppy needs that social interaction too.  At 7 weeks they may not be able to go all night.  Usually a crated puppy will make enough fuss to wake you and you can take it out.  It is not too long until they can make it through the night.  

Many dogs can make the transition to outside from the papers or pads.  Some seem to be confused and become housebreaking problems.  This is the reason I suggest avoiding the pads and papers.  Getting up in the middle of the night is a little tough, but get through it with this puppy and you can relax for years.  We do a new puppy every year.  It was a little easier this year because we started with a 16 week old.  We should get to start again the end of this year with a 7 week old just in time for winter.