Will your puppy be 12 weeks when you get him? All my puppies had accidents in the crate until they matured a bit, so don't be surprised if it happens. When not in the crate, both my boys were trained to go on wee wee pads first, then eventually outside. Now if the weather is bad, as soon as I put down the pads, they know what to do. If you decide to train on wee wee pads first, bring a pad outside and let him use it outdoors for awhile until he gets used to going outside. I have found that until 6 months of age, my pups were not able to potty train very well. But once they reached 6 months, they gradually came around.
As far as overnight in the crate, I kept the crate next to our bed. We would get up every few hours and put him on a pad. It takes awhile but eventually they will sleep all night. (just like a human baby!) Good Luck and don't hesitate to ask if you need help!
