I am so relieved to have found this discussion today!
We decided today to install a doggy door into our laundry so that our puppy can choose to go outside in the secure backyard! He loves it out here and at almost nine weeks ( picked him up at 8 weeks on tuesday) we can now put him outside while we eat or i cannot watch him, he will come to the door with a tiny whine, see it ets him nothing and he will go play or snooze! I just couldnt understand why i would confine him to the boring laundry all day...
I read heaps and was all set for crate training, but barney does better with his crate open in the laundry at night. He has a puppy pad, but still wont use it, i take him out at 4 am. He fraeked out with the door shut, even though he would be in it shut during the day...