My ZoE is still a very young puppy, so she doesn't yet have the run of the house & I use a playpen while I'm gone at work (northstate superyard xt) and love it!!! Half the floor is covered with potty pads, the other half has her bed & toys & water. I did buy her a very small metal crate, but I ended up just using it for travel, so she's safe in the car, but can see me through the wire mesh. I don't have the heart to lock an easily trainable pup in one. But both times I've had a yorkie, I've always had a pup that picked up on potty training VERY quickly. If I had a pup that didn't train so easily I'd prolly break down and use the crate for training.
The potty pads don't hold odor if you change them regularly. I have both the washable for home use & disposable for travel (or when I'm slacking on my laundry duties
