hey, liz! :--)

the rule for pups is their Age in Mos + 1 = MAX number of hours
(without any added triggers) between potty-trips.

triggers include:
---------------------
active play
excitement (visitors, arrivals...)
meals / drinks
waking from sleep
startled/scared

so if the pup has Not had a meal, Not had a bout of play, and Not had a nap... etc,
he can at 10-WO go no longer than 2 + 1 = 3 hours max between potty-trips.

also, pups have no working sphincter-control before 12-WO/3-MO - they have no conscious control over Do i or Do i Not void, when they are full, they empty!
they can to some extent choose WHERE they go (Ex choose the carpet or the tile), but not WHEN they go - it is automatic.
so any potty-errors in the pup are the fault of the human - not the puppy, since they cannot read a clock, open the door, and take themselves out, LOL.

overnight, i always set an alarm for 3 AM and take the pup out - Carrying the pup in the house, so that a full bladder does not make them stop + wee - WALKING stimulates the bladder + bowel, being carried shuts off the elimination temporarily.
i set the leashed pup down in an area that has been used before, + wait -
Praise + TREAT on the spot for performance - and go back indoors.
pup goes in the crate, coat off, shoes off, back to sleep!

cheers,
--- terry

terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, IPDTA, TDF