[KazzyK810]

I've never crated a dog to potty train it. (I've never outdoor trained a dog though...)

I've always used a xpen (playpen, play yard) with a bed at one end & potty pads at the other. I praise like crazy and treat when she goes on the pads. Once I feel she understands the pad concept, I open up a side of the pen and give free reign in a room and still praise & treat at every good potty. Then, when she understands to go to the pads and no where else in the room, I allow access to more rooms, and then finally free reign in the house.