Do you consider it acceptable that TEMPORARILY, I confine the puppy to my kitchen with a puppy gate and put some newspaper down?

Dear Cindy,

Warm Greetings from Maryland!

I have a very specific question about Housetraining that only has to do with the time period in a puppy's life when it is very young from 8-12 weeks of age where it has very little bladder control. (I believe you said about 2hrs. or so is max. time between potty-breaks). I know your #1 rule is to teach the puppy to stay clean IN his crate and Rule #2 is for the puppy to learn to go to the bathroom OUTSIDE ONLY. Here is where I'm unsure what to do. Although I will take my 8 week old puppy out in the middle of the night until that time when he can sleep through the night, I will be away during the day time. I am able to go home for lunch to take my pup out BUT the amount of time between potty-breaks will be 4 hours, not 2hrs. Do you consider it "acceptable" that TEMPORARILY, JUST for a few weeks until my puppy can hold for at least 4 hours, that I confine the puppy to my kitchen (easy to clean floor) with a puppy gate and put some newspaper down? If this is OK, MUST he have access to his crate (it's a very small kitchen - the crate would take up most of the space)? Otherwise, I'd just leave a towel or small dog bed for him.

Thank you and Mr. Frawley so much for your kindness in sharing your wealth of knowledge with us "beginners!"

Regards,
Christina