House Training
If you understand your puppy's need to keep its bed clean, and if you limit your puppy's freedom, teach it what you want and where you want it, and set a good schedule, your puppy will cooperate.
Begin by deciding where you want you puppy to relieve itself. Whenever your puppy needs to relieve itself, take it outside to the spot and stand with the puppy, but don't watch interact with it. When the puppy starts to sniff and circle, just watch it. After the puppy starts to relieve itself, you can praise it in a soft voice so you don't interrupt. When the puppy has completed its business, praise it more, but with excitement.
For several weeks you will need to go out with your puppy and repeat your actions. Yes, every time, and yes, for a few to several weeks. You cannot simply sent the puppy outside, otherwise, how will you know if the puppy has relieved itself?
Your puppy will need to eliminate after it eats, drinks, plays, and wakes up. Keep a close eye on your puppy to reassure that he/she in not eliminating elsewhere.
Crate training works because most puppies will not relieve themselves in the crate. By using a crate as the puppy's bed, the puppy learns to control its bladder and bowel movements so the bed is not soiled. When you take your puppy out of the crate it will have to eliminate. This gives you the perfect opportunity to praise your puppy for eliminating outside.
It is important to understand that the crate is not a jail. Your puppy will learn that the crate us a refuge for when it is tired. It is a place to sleep and relax. Consider it more like a crib for your new baby.
Choose a crate that will allow your puppy to stand, turn around, and stretch out. Do not buy a crate that is suitable for a Saint Bernard if you own a Chihuahua. Too much room is not better. If the crate is too big, the puppy can relieve itself in the back corner and still have room to get away from it. The purpose if using a crate to housetrain your puppy is to utilize the puppy's instinct to keep its bed clean.
Plan on getting up early to let your puppy out of the crate to eliminate outdoors. At night, try and let your puppy out as late as possible so there are not accidents through the night.
Accidents will happen. When accidents occur, you handle it carefully. No yelling or hitting your puppy. Rubbing their nose in the mess is also not a good idea. You don't want the puppy to think that eliminating is wrong, but instead, eliminating outside is a good idea.
Just remember a good couple of weeks of very consistent training discipline will have you a long ways down the road to having a wonderful family companion that will be a joy to have around.