Knowing your carpet and furniture is safe. While Crate training you should be feeding on a regular schedule, and putting your puppy out side to go Potty on a regular schedule as well, this makes training easier. One hour after feeding the puppy will have to go potty, this is a good schedule to have when putting your puppy to bed in his/her crate. The puppy will unlikely "Potty" in his/her crate through the night, puppies do not like to sleep in a wet or soiled bed. It really does get easier in the days ahead..... 

Neo's tend to be real messy eaters, I recommend a special place to feed and water your puppy. Either in a Kitchen on the tile/linoleum floor or on a plastic mat, is best. It is during this time you have never seen anything more disgusting in your life. Neo slime some Kibble and a dash of water all rolled into one, with the occasional eat like a pig and cough it back up syndrome. Yes it happens. Neo's consistently drool while eating, It really makes for a big mess. I feed my dogs outside (weather permitting) or in my kitchen on the tile with a plastic mat. Where it can be moped up and cleaned after each meal. 

Selecting a "spot" outside for your puppy to go potty will make training much, much easier. When he/ she relieves him / herself, praise the puppy. You will need to keep this area clean from dog piles, or he / she may refuse to relieve him / herself there again. 

Avoid "playing" with your puppy while outside potty training. This way, the puppy will learn he / she is there for a reason. 

You should use words like " need to go outside?" "outside" etc. The puppy will learn to associate these words with a potty break. 

If you catch your puppy in the act, you should correct him / her with a firm "NO". Then remove the puppy from that area, and place him / her outside to the potty area in which you have selected. * Do Not Spank Your Puppy. 

If you do not see the puppy make the accident, its too late. Be sure to clean that area to remove the smell. So it does not become a familiar smell for your puppy in the house. 

Your puppy will need to relieve him / herself soon after eating. 
(usually 20min - 1 hr. after) 

Your puppy will need to relieve him / herself soon after waking up in the morning. 
(As soon as they get up and walk around) 

Your puppy should be taken outside before bed time too. 

Your puppy will show some signs of needing to go potty, Such as: 
* Placing his /her nose to the ground and sniffing. 
* Walking in a circle type movement. 
* Sudden movement (getting up from sleeping / naps) 

Crate Training is a VERY good way to help house break during the night. Dogs are reluctant to soil in there bedding. This also keeps your new puppy from wandering around your home at night. 

Crate Training is also a GREAT way to keep your puppy out of trouble when your not able to watch your puppy. Placing the dog crate in an area so that they are still part of the family is best. 

Introduce your puppy to his / her crate at first in short periods of time. 
Listening to your puppy the first couple of times in the crate is heart breaking. But he / she will soon learn to settle down, and will learn that this is her/ his private place.  

Crate training is NOT a cruel way to keep your puppy. Its a safe place, a den, a private place. With the right bedding material, becomes a favorite place. 

Bedding: Fake Sheepskin works best. Its soft, and plushy, It washes well, and does not unravel like carpet, or other bedding materials. 

** Crate Training coincides with the potty training section up top. 
 

Some puppies may take longer then others, but with consistant training and a loving owner, all of this seems to pass quickly.