Not to make any one angry but I beleive in crate trainning. Merlin was started the day we brought him home at 10 weeks old ,We had some one home all day though. We made it his bedroom and his safe place. When he doesn't want to be bothered he goes there,and no one does.At first we just threw his toys in to make it a happy place.Then we only close it for about 5 mintues,we did this for about 20 mintues. Then at that night he went in very well. Please thought do remember it is a safe place but not a punishment place. Also puppies do need to go out a lot, we took him out every 2 hours and told him to do his business. They catch on very fast. Good luck.
PS Merlin is a English Springer Spaneil ! and he says welcome!