Every major step will have its set back, as I'm learning. We will have great days with the puppies, and we will have bad days. They are going to be 12 weeks old this coming week, and they still have accidents - some days are worse than others. What I've found is that when we leave them in the kitchen to play, they make their mistakes. If we are in the kitchen with them, they have begun to whine or let us know when they need to go. This isn't always consistent, but I'm also learning their behaviors, and I've gotten pretty good at figuring out when they need to go. I've also learned to just watch their bottoms for indication that they need to poop. Sounds gross, but it really does work. If I do that, I can ALWAYS tell when they're about to go.
Patience sucks, but it is the key. If we can't be in the kitchen, playing with the puppies and watching their every move, we put them in the crate. If they are playing by themselves, they don't know yet how to indicate that they need to go (they are getting to the point where they are beginning to, though!). They still have accidents in the crate, but they seem to be getting better at holding it. I think the key is putting them in the crate for long enough periods of time for them to learn to hold it but giving them the opportunity to relieve themselves in the appropriate place within a decent amount of time. After all, puppies DO sleep a lot...only rarely do they not go almost immediately after being taken outside, but that takes practice.
The other thing that my boss told me is that we have to differentiate between potty time and play time. In other words, they don't go outside unless they are going potty. Once they've gone, take them right back into the house and play with them.
That technique seems to have better success for me than letting them play outside after going potty.
Not that I have any experience, but keep in mind that potty training a toddler can be just as difficult.
(WOW I was long-winded today!)
--Steph