weening off pee pads

Question
Hello, I live in San Francisco, in a 3 story home.  My Morkie, now has a pretty good grasp of peeing and pooping on pee pads, (when the pad is on the floor LOL!).  Now, I am trying to get him to pee and poop outside.  When he 1st wakes in the morning (he is now sleeping in a crate in our bedroom, 2 stories up), I am able to take him out to the yard and he will pee and poop.  I then feed him and try to take him to the yard again (1 story down)to get him to pee after he eats (he poops and pees once before his breakfast)he gets downstairs and thinks its playtime.  I also have a pad outside.  I bring him up and start preparing our breakfast, and sure enough, he pees a little on the pad. I have been trying to remove the pad completely and keep a strict eye on him, but he's like a ninja...then there is a puddle.  If I try to put him in his kitchen crate 1st thing, he would yelp to wake the dead..  I guess I am a real softy and am paying the price for it now. He is 18 weeks old.

Answer
Hello, Don!

I wonder if you have tried putting his favorite toy or a Kong with treats or peanut butter inside the crate to occupy his mind there?  I believe the crate or a gated off area where you can closely supervise puppy is your best bet until he is well potty trained.  As soon as you catch him peeing, clap your hands to startle him, pick him up and take him outside immediately.  Also, check out this blog post for proper cleaning methods.  You really need to remove any evidence where he has gone pee in the house.  Good luck!  
http://blog.gizmo2wizmo.com/2009/05/12/5-essential-steps-to-cleaning-dog-pee.asp...