I first started out crate training, it wrkd out grate. Kiroshi would hold it and in the morning when i let him out he would go on the pad. I soon began pee pad training and i have him in a k-9 keeper pen so he'd be in one area only and he had his bed in one area, food in one and pad in one area. He eventually caught on that the pad which has a scent is the area to go on. I did dab his pee on the pad to start off. It does take a while.
Good luck w/that.