Winston is now a little over a year and he uses potty pads in the house and also goes outside when we walk him. First he is only 5.5 pounds and when it gets cold here in Ky. or raining it is easy for all of us that he uses the pads. You will have to decide for yourself but we never worry if we are away for a few hours or bad outside. He will do both outside but sometimes he will pee outside and come in and use his pad to poo. Which ever he does is ok with us.
We have him in a fenced in area in the laundry room. He has his crate with his bed, food, water, toys, and pee pads. When we come home we let him out and love on him and take him out for a walk or run the house. It has worked perfect for us. He loves being able to run to and fro in our screened in porch. If he has to potty, Winston runs to the laundry room and uses his pad and we tell him what a good boy he is.
It really works for us, hope this helps and it works for you
