Ok - just to add my twopenneth!
Don't shout at the dog when he goes to the loo inside:
Puppies urinate as a pacifying gesture so shouting at your puppy will only make matters worse, he will know he's upset you but in order to make things better he will urinate, creating a vicious circle.
Don't 'let' the dog out. Go outside with the puppy, stand with him (on a lead is best as far as I'm concerned but it's up to you) and if after 3 minutes he does nothing, bring him back inside (and put him in his crate, if that's how you choose to do it). Then half an hour later (or if you see any signs), take him back outside again.
Always praise and reward him for going outside - we used cheese as a reward and she cottoned on very quickly. They know that they get no reward for going inside but they do for going outside.
Don't stand at the door and praise your puppy when he returns to the house after doing his business outside. He will only get confused and think that next time he'll have to do it closer to the house, or worse still
in the house.
If he goes inside and you don't get there in time to transfer him outside, just calmly ignore him, go and get a cloth etc and clean it thoroughly - so he can't smell it and repeat his action - but don't pay him any attention. If you tell him it's ok because he seems upset, he'll think he can do it all the time, if you shout at him he'll get nervous and do it again later, or he'll remember he got a reaction and not that it was a negative reaction.
Watch him like a hawk, recognise the signs, does he circle? Does he walk like he's just got off a horse (Takara did this!)? Does his bumb get big? You can usually see some sign - as soon as he does this take him outside and give him a command word such as 'get busy' or 'hurry up' or just 'toilet'.
If you don't get there in time, don't worry but rush him straight outside afterwards and stand out there for a minute or so (he may need more!) and then bring him in, he'll associate doing his business with going outside!
It's up to you whether you use paper but a lot of trainers suggest it confuses the puppy being taught it's ok to go inside and then it's not. While you're out, restrict your puppy to an area that's easy to clean if possible (such as the kitchen if there is lino).
Basic times to take your puppy out:
- After a period of play
- Every hour - 2 hours as he gets older
- As soon as he wakes up after sleep
- Half an hour after eating
- Before bed
And remember - he's only a baby and as such, he doesn't have complete control of his bodily functions so any accidents are not his fault (or your fault) - he may not be able to hold it.
The fewer accidents you allow him to have, the quicker he'll train.