Puppy potty training problems and questions? Help?

Pads can be confusing unless you want the dog to go in the house forever. A crate is a good idea. Put the dog in the crate when you are gone, sleeping, or unable to supervise the pet. Ignore the pup in the crate, no matter how much he whines or barks. In two or three nights he'll have gotten the hint and he won't be whining in the crate as much. Take the pup outside after he eats, sleeps, and plays, and probably hourly or so for now. When he does his thing lavish praise on and provide a small treat if he likes food. He'll get the hang of it eventually. Keep it positive (no punishing, no rubbing his nose in accidents, etc).