When a puppy has as much room to roam around in as a den, then she/he will need to go much more frequent then once every 3-4 hours. A puppy at 7 1/2 weeks, will need to go every hour on the hour or 1/2 hour. That is why crate training works. If you crate the 7 1/2 wk old in a crate that has been made to box in most of the space in the crate and to only allow the puppy to stand, turn around and lay down again, she/he will learn to hold it.
Whether you paper train or train to go outside, crate training is still necessary. just because you are doing it on paper, does not mean they will automatically know to go on the paper when you are not there.
If you crate them, then you can direct them to the paper for potty, at the appropriate times, (just like you directed your first one to go outside. the process is exactly the same. Outside or inside potty, you are teaching them the same thing: appropriate place to go.) keep them out for a while and back in the crate and the whole routine starts over again.
I would put a "fence" (you can use anything to make your fence) the purpose is to enclose the potty area, and put more than one paper in the "potty area". Just like you brought the 1st one outside, you will bring the 2nd one to the "potty area". You will leave her in there until she goes, and make a big to do about it. At some point in the future, you can carve out a doorway in the potty area so that she will go in and out of it herself. I would make sure that you put the "potty area" in the place you want it for long term. Your puppy should have it down 100% before you start moving it. So this could take months.
That's my suggestion. |