litter training your puppy

Puppies below three months of age have very limited bladder control and reflexes. They usually don't know until the last moment. you can not expect them to tell you ahead of time. If you're good observant, you'll see that a puppy who's looking for a place to relieve itself will suddenly circle about while sniffing the floor. The sniffing is instinct — he is actually looking for a place that's already been used. By preventing accidents in the house, you'll teach him that the only appropriate place is outside the house.
Set up a dog crate or small, confined area, using a dog crate will be more effective. The size of the crate is important — if it's too large, the puppy will have room to use one end as a bathroom. If you've bought a crate for him to “grow into,” you can also get dividers to reduce the inner space while he's small. If he must be left alone while you're at work, then a larger crate is okay.
Put a stack of newspapers at one end for him to use when you can't be home to let him out.
Also in the crate should be a water dish, sleeping pad and toys. Put the crate where he isn't away from the family. If you're using a confined area instead, a small gate across the doorway is preferable to closing the door and isolating your puppy.
Your puppy might not like the crate at first. If he gets really obnoxious, reach inside the crate, give him a little shake by the scruff of his neck and say NO in a deep, stern voice. Eventually he'll settle down and sleep. If you give a tempting treat every time you put the dog in his crate, he'll soon look forward to going in.
The crate is intended to be his sleeping and feeding place and is where he should be when you can't keep a close eye on him. Dogs instinctively keep their sleeping areas clean. If you've allowed him to go when he needs to, he won't dirty his crate if he can help it. Once he's developed better control, he won't need the newspapers unless you're going to be gone all day. Change the papers several times a day if they've been soiled.
Puppy's first night at home
Get off on the right foot at the beginning. After bringing the pup home, you can play with him for an hour. Plan on taking the puppy outside every two hours while he's awake. Don't wait for him to tell you that he has to go.
Feed the puppy his supper in his crate. Wait for him to have a bowel movement before bringing him back in. Some pups get their jobs done quickly, others may take half an hour.
If he's being slow, walk around the yard encouraging him to follow you. Walking tends to get things moving, so to speak!
Always take the puppy outside first thing when you let him out of the crate and always CARRY the puppy to the door - This is important. Puppies seem to have a reflex peeing action that takes affect the moment they step out of the crate onto your carpeting. If you let him walk to the door, he'll probably have an accident before he gets there. Part of this training method is psychological — you want the puppy to feel grass under his feet when he goes to the bathroom, not your carpeting!
After another short play period, take the pup outside before bedtime, then tuck him into his crate for the night. If he cries during the night, he probably has to go out. Carry him outside to, then put him back in the crate with a minimum of cuddling. If you play with him, he might decide he doesn't want to go back to sleep.