[medusa512]

you are saying "teacup." i have a "teapot" and he can normally make it that long.
maybe you could look into a doggie litterbox for her. Edgar always always chewed up the pee pads, even if he didn't pee on them. and my husband doesn't want me leaving them down because if they are there than "he'll think it's acceptable to go in the house."

also, enlist your gf's help. it's easy to be in denial if you are afraid of being forced to lose your puppy! (i should know) maybe she'll understand if you say something like, "i know how much you love her and i need your help with training." you could even mention you were doing research (omg if my husband said he was doing research on yorkies i would flip!!) and have found that if you xxx it helps because xxx. "let's try for a while and see if that works."
just like a child if one parent is lenient and the other is firm, confusion ensues.

also, who cleans it up? regardless of which dog (or my one child) vomits, poos, or pees in the house, I'M the one who cleans it up. so i know how important it is to give edgar (Mr. Separation Anxiety) toys to play with while we're gone. i have also learned that he really really likes to have 2-3 walks a day. if i don't walk him before i leave or before i go to bed he gets upset and won't hold it.

you seem to be a great guy and are making a great "puppy daddy!"

edit: crate might be too small. try an "x-pen." it's like a gated play area