I feel it's best  just for safety not to leave the pup unattended with a collar on. If you only put it on when it's time to go for a walk they quickly learn what it's for and appreciate it.There is a chance they can be hung up in it if noone were home with them.Then there could be a situation that could turn out to be tragic. I recommend the little harnesses where you go over their head and shoulders and the leash clips on in between their shoulder blades. This way if they are on their walk and they get a bit of a jerk at times (alot of times it's because they are just learning and they tend to cause the jerks themselves:) their whole body comes, not just their head, and it's alot easier on their neck.

I happen to have a primadonna yorkie on my lap as writing this and she said be sure to let you know the little fancy pretty collars are totally acceptable when on an outing but please remove them when you get home. 

Depending on whether you work all day, how old the pup is, and whether you have time to come home during the day........................is how you should decide on how you are going to potty train your pup.

If you can let the pup out often and are adamant about it learning to go outside you can crate train it.

But if you can't let the pup out often and you are gone all day, alot of times if you have a small room with linoleum or hard floor ( in case the pup has a few accidents) you can get a wooden gate from walmart for around $10.00. put the gate up and puppy pads down, then a bed and food and water. Our pups are trained to drink from water bottles ( the big ones like for a rabbit ) if you want to mount one to the gate while you are gone. Show the pup where it is. That way they aren't swimming in the water dish while you are gone. Then when you are home give them a water dish as pups naturally like to lap water with their tounge. The water bottle is also nice if you are traveling.

Once you have the pups' area setup, their feet should not touch the floor ,unless you are directly playing with them,in the rest of the house until they are consistently going on their puppy pads.They will get the visual layout of your house as you carry them around or play with them.

Once they are consistently going on the puppy pads lift the gate.

If they go through the rest of the house and have an accident put the gate back and start over. The puppies' age will have alot to do with how fast they catch on.

Once you have them puppy pad trained , if you are home and see them going into their area to use the pad, scoop them up and take them outside.................you can teach them to do both. Once outside sing, dance, give them a kiss. Let them know what a huge deal it is they went while out there. Have one special treat for just outside. Pups do MUCH BETTER being praised for what they do right then scolded for what they do wrong.

And remember always make their area a place where it can stay their area. Once you lift the gate they will go back there because the puppy pads are there, but so is their bed, food and water. They are den animals. They like to have their own space. Later as they grow, if you have alot of company, or they've been playing with the kids, and you don't see them, it's likely you will find them in their area lying in their bed or chewing on their favorite toy. They will likely store those there also.

Housetraining a puppy is the hardest part. It's just about like the kids, but once you get it done it's done. Then they become just another little family member that has their own routine and do what they do.

The most important thing, however you decide to train your puppy, according to you and your family's needs, is to be kind, patient, and give them time.

THEY WILL GET IT!