For potty training I recommend crate training, dog door, and potty door bell methods.
For crate training for those who can't be home during the day or at night until they become house trained I find to be the best working method. It is not recommended to put food in the crate. Water is a must, depending on how old and long, the puppy/dog will be kept in the crate. I also put a pad in the bottom of the crate. I put a blanket over top of my crates so they will think it is night time because it is dark and it helps make them feel comfortable & secure.
I have a dog door in my home so that the dogs can go in and out of the house into the fenced in yard area to go potty. It also has a closure flap to lock the dog door. I have a potty door hanging bell on my side door to teach the dogs and puppies to go to that door and ring the bell and let me know when they have to go potty.
I also found this fantastic website for reusable washable pads. They are a total life saver and money saver. They are incontinence pads like the ones used in nursing homes. They do not leak through and they are completely affordable. I use them for many different things like in the pomeranian nursery, in crates, for traveling with the dogs, or when a dog is birthing. They have many uses and come in several sizes. I have a whole plastic tub full of them and just throw them into my washer and dryer. Here is the link: https://avacaremedical.com/cardinal-health-washable-bed-pad.
