Potty Training Help

I guess it would depend on your living situation.  I've been lucky with all my dogs to have a fenced yard, so for me it was easier to train directly to the back yard. If you have a small dog and live in an apartment or condo with no yard space of your own, it's different.  Years ago I put a doggie door in the sliding door of my bedroom and it was money very well spent.  Max goes in and out whenever he needs and on the few occasions when he has to be kept in (like when the yard guys have the leaf blower running) it's very easy to lock it.

Joyce

 If you are at home all the time, then I would go straight outside.  I find the dog learns faster because it is less confusing.  You don't HAVE to use papers first, unless there is a medical reason.... like if you don't have your own yard but you do have a high parvo risk in your area, something like that.  Might be worth discussing with your vet if you are concerned.

Take the dog out OFTEN, especially after eating, drinking, waking, playing and chewing, or any time she paces, circles or sniff.  Reward well for getting it right, no scolding for accidents.  There will be times when you simply can't watch the pup - if you have a crate USE IT for these times.  Failing that, just confine her in a safe dog-proof area, after making sure she has toileted outside first.  Line it with paper in case she does need to do any more - it won't help all that much with training, but it will save your floor.

 From your profile it seems like you have a backyard, so I wouldn't even bother with the paper training. Just take him outside. I did it with Simba(my puppy) and now anytime he has to go he paws at the backdoor. :P You have to be ready to take him out soon after he eats and drinks because at this point it's in one end and then out the other. You really have to be on top of him, as he won't be able to hold it in.

I'm no expert, but this has been working with Simba. I also take him outside if he does have an accident in the house so he gets the idea that when he has to go, he needs to go outside. Not sure if other people do this, but I figure he gets it. 

 I would just take the dog straight outside. I've never been a fan of paper/pee pad training, though I know it serves a good purpose for some. Develop a routine. Out first thing in the morning, out soon after eating or drink and definitely out soon after a play session and out as the last thing at night before bed. Praise like heck for the puppy going outside (we got all excited, lavished praise and attention on Ari when she was being house trained). I would never scold a dog for an accident inside. I always treated it as a non-issue (or scolded myself for not paying closer attention!).

Crate training is an invaluable tool for helping to house train. Also, getting them used to a crate will make other things easier (unexpected vet stays, boarding, grooming or simply having a safe place for your dog while traveling).

I would be taking the puppy outside. Training the dog to go on papers/pads in the house, even just at first, can seriously set back house training. I would be taking the puppy outside every 30 minutes, praising with high value treats and rewards when pottying in the appropriate area, would keep her tethered to me or in a crate while in the house, so that she is constantly supervised and/or crated.