[Mom2Odie]

I don't punish when there has been an accident. If you don't catch the dog within 7 seconds of the accident they won't have a clue what you are fussing about. If I catch him I say "outside" in a firm voice and I bring him outside. I tried the crate but it didn't work for him. Instead I supervised him constantly, which takes patience. I take him out after every nap, after playtime and after eating. Then I watch the clock and take note of his last pee or poop. I just kept taking him out and pretty soon he got the message that this is were he needs to go. I also walk him daily, if it is not too cold.
I keep a pee pad in the kitchen and if I've missed a pee time he always pees on the pad and I praise him for that. We could go a week though without a pee on the pad so most of his pees are outside.
He had a problem with loose stools while on Wellness Dry and had a hard time holding it. When he had an accident I never scolded him, I just said, "I know baby ... you are trying." He wants to please so much. Then I put him on Orijen Dry and his poops are back to being firm He can hold it and its his little puppy farts that tell us it's time to go out.
He also will pace at the back door if he really needs to go. We bought Odie at 8 months and he was not housebroken. He is 10 months now and I would say he is pretty much there.
Patience, love, praise (lots of praise) and even more patience gets the job done! Also I think a thousand kisses a day helps too!!!