Hi Alayne,
 
Don't worry, your pup is still young enough that you can have him house
trained pretty quickly.  Male dogs are no harder to train than female
dogs.  Some puppies get a head start on potty training in the kennel
where they are whelped, so they already have the basic idea by the time
they are weaned.  This guy's problem is that he does not yet understand
that going in the house is undesirable, so that's why he's not letting
you know when he needs to go outside.  So, your primary task is to
associate an unpleasant consequence with eliminating in the house.
 
Since you can't possibly watch him every minute of the day, a crate
essential for this stage of his training.  It should be large enough for
him to stand up without bumping his head and to lay down comfortably but
NO LARGER.  A dog will instinctively avoid going to the bathroom where
he sleeps, but if the crate is too large, he may designate one area for
sleeping and another for potty detail, which you don't want.  If you have
a large crate, you can block off one end of it with boards to make his
area smaller.  And don't be reluctant to crate him.  Dogs have a natural
denning instinct, and they appreciate a safe, quiet place where they can
rest and know they can't get in trouble.  A crate should never be used as
punishment, but as a personal retreat from activity.  A puppy his age
should be crated for no more than four hours at a time; and they can go
longer during the night.  Dogs can be crated for up to eight hours when
they get older, such as when you are away at work, but never more than
eight hours.  When a crate is used properly, a dog will learn to like
his crate.
 
Next, whenever he is out of the crate, you need to watch him like a hawk!
It will help to confine him to a small area of the house, such as the
kitchen, so you can watch him more easily.  Then ALWAYS be ready with
negative reinforcement if he tries to relieve himself in the house.
NEVER give him the opportunity to go without negative reinforcement.
If he appears to be looking for a place to go, be ready with a rolled
up newspaper, or a penny can, or just use the palm of your hand.  The
instant he starts of go, swat him on the butt and say a sharp NO!  You
can also stomp your foot near him, if that helps.  A penny can can be
thrown from a distance, if your aim is good.  (Use a soda can or a V8
can and put a few pennies in it, then tape it closed.  The noise it makes
will startle most dogs, but some pay no attention to it.) The idea is not
to hurt him, but to startle him.  Then take him immediately outside and
praise him when he goes where his is supposed to.  You don't want him to
think that you don't want him to relieve himself at all, so that's why
you should praise him when he goes in the right place.
 
You are doing the right thing with keeping a regular routine for him, and
there is no need to restrict water for a healthy puppy.  If you are very
consistent with potty training, always catching him in the act in the
house, and always crating him when there is no one to watch him, you'll
have him trained in no time, believe me.
 
Best Regards,
 
Nancy and critters
[Posted in FML issue 4586]