A number of people who recently have gotten a new pup have the same dilemma. The puppy isn't housebroken, and where do we keep them when we aren't home? Both problems can be resolved easily with one object, a crate.
Some think crates are cruel, but I can tell you everyone who has gotten a crate for their dog, be it old or young has told me the same thing, "I never would have believed it, but he loves his crate! He goes there like it's his own room!" That's because it is. A dog's ancestors slept in dens for centuries, and instinctually they see the caret as a safe place to be. Watch your dog when they are frightened, they will search for an go under or into a hollow, such as under the table, behind the couch, or another small enclosed place. This represents safety to them.
How do I use a crate to help me housebreak my dog? Well, firstly you need to make it small enough so that the instinct not to soil their sleeping quarters kicks in. If it's too big, they will use one end as a sleeping area, and the other as their bathroom. That will eliminate the whole idea of the crate for housebreaking. It should be big enough for them to turn around in, to lay down in, and stand up. No bigger. If you have a pup who is going to be growing by leaps and bounds, such as a Great Dane, you can partition off the back of the crate with a piece of wood, and gradually move it back as the pup grows. This way, you only need to buy one crate. A dog's ancestors would not soil their sleeping quarters because the smell would alert predators of their presence.
Punishment is NEVER what a crate is for. If you use your crate as punishment, you are doing a great disservice to your dog. The crate should be your dog's special place. It should be where he can go to get away from noise, and scary things, and where he should be when you can't watch him. If the pup is in his crate when you can't watch him, you'll be happier and so will he since this will eliminate accidents. Wouldn't it be better for both of you if you never had to yell at the puppy for going in the house when you were unable to watch him? The crate should be used for all puppy naps, and where he should sleep at night.
Keep in mind puppies will have to go out about 15 minutes after eating, and right after drinking, sleeping and playing. Use this as a guide so you can figure out when the pup has to go. That way you'll set him on a schedule for success, everytime you take him out, and he goes, praise him! Let him know he is the best puppy in the world for this. Don't put the puppy out on a runner or leave them in a fenced yard, they need the praise you give them to let them know they did a great thing. This is very important. If you don't do this, the whole process will take much longer. Make sure the puppy is all done before you bring him in. If you know the puppy has to go, and is not going, running them a bit will help move things along. Don't bring the pup in, you're just asking for a mess. They have to go, they just forgot. Running them a little bit will help remind them fairly quick.
When the pup goes in his crate, praise him! As he enters you should say, "Crate up" or "Kennel up" or something similar. This way, after a time, the pup will identify that word with going in the crate. Once they do, you can give them the command and they will go right in and then you can just follow them in to close the door, and remind them they are the best dog in the world!
The pup is barking or crying when he's in the crate, what should you do? If you just put him in there, and he doesn't have to go, the thing you shouldn't do is let him out. If you let him out when he cries you're teaching him that to get out all he has to do is cry and whine. Only let the dog out when he is being quiet. A firm, "HUSH!" or "NO BARK!" should be given when they do cry or bark. Once the up is quiet for a few minutes, then let them out with BIG praise. If you put him in when you went to bed at 10, he shouldn't need to go until around 3. Set your alarm because you are trying to set a schedule here for your dog. As they grow their muscles will develop and they will be able to go longer, but for now, they need to go every few hours.
After about a week your pup will see the crate as their very own room. The first few weeks you have your puppy are the hardest. Keep in mind your new addition is very much like a newborn. Puppies are a blank sheet of paper and you are the writer, give your puppy a happy story. Make sure you don't leave the pup in the crate for more than 4-5 hours. Anything longer is cruel since you are forcing them to eliminate in their sleeping area. Older dogs should not be in a crate for more than 8-9 hours for the same reason. Think of it like this, when was the last time you had to go? Now is it fair to ask your dog to wait longer than that? Make sure everytime the pup or dog goes in the crate they have gone to the bathroom, and they get the exercise they need.
Crates keep your pup or dog safe from external dangers, and when you come home to let your friend out, you'll be happy because nothing has changed, and they will be happy because they were in their special room.