Sorry that I posted so many replies here and only answer one question at at time. It's just I need to get the PM I sent out to that other person here and post it first. It was long enough by itself as you can see. And then I reply as I read.
Seems to me your puppy is lucky to have you. If you do build him a dog house, you could line the bottom with some heavy plastic sheet (clear ones maybe) to protect your floor in case his water got spilled or something.