If anyone has any experience housebreaking in an apartment or condo your response would be greatly appreciated.

My 9 week old GSD has quickly taken to his crate and no longer whines in the middle of the night (since the second night). When I wake up (usually by 7am), I get dressed to take him out, and immediately put the leash on him. Since he pee'd in my apt or in the hallway several times in the morning, I've started carrying him out to at least the building exit before putting him down to walk the short distance to his spot (which he knows). I'm on the 20th floor so it's typically 2-3 minutes before we're outside.

Every time he has pee'd in my condo or in the common areas I have caught him in the act and startled him by grabbing his neck fur, causing him to yelp, then praising when we get to his spot and he finishes.

My question is this: will carrying him at this age cause problems down the road when he has more bladder control and can definitely go all night without being ready to explode? I don't want him to get older and instinctively let go in the hallway. Can I keep carrying him down there for now and avoid the cleanup hassle?

 Quote: Armin Ghazi

... will carrying him at this age cause problems down the road when he has more bladder control and can definitely go all night without being ready to explode? I don't want him to get older and instinctively let go in the hallway. Can I keep carrying him down there for now and avoid the cleanup hassle?

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=16&Number=212440&Searchpage=1&Main=21045&Words=carry&topic=0&Search=true#Post212440

Can you make a point of getting him out before it's urgent?

I've been trying to do that as much as possible but sometimes my schedule doesn't allow it, which has led to the accidents so far. Is carrying him only when I know it's urgent going to cause problems?

Not that I can think of.

Accidents would be happening on the first floor too if it's your scheduling. Can you get a dog-potty person or come home for lunch, etc.?

What you do NOT want is to force the pup to have to go indoors and start that habit.

P.S. I'd start asap to get a reliable (and frequent) outdoor-schedule going.

You want the puppy to start (a bit later) to see that help always does come.

Got it...I figured it's mostly handler error. I'll carry him only if it's an emergency, otherwise I'll work on getting him out before it even becomes an issue.

Thanks!