We got a 4 week old Cairn Terrier...we have had pups before, so training was not hard. Every time you feed them, or they drink water...tell them it's potty time (we used wee-poo time)...take them out and watch them closely...call them back to you (something you can practice in the house).
We have hawks also...one even tried to swoop down on Saralee....hubby snatched her up when I yelled. That hawk waited on the telephone pole for hours.
We put out a 2ft high chicken wire (temporary) fenced area by our back door (easy for us to step over)...and ran mylar ribbon in a grid...it reflects and keeps the hawk(s) away...other critters also.
Saralee learned that if she ate or drank...it was time to go out. She is three, going on four now...and SHE taught our lab pup to not go in the house. Elvis has never had an accident in the house. Saralee used to come wake us (has a shrill whine)...but now, she sends Elvis in...and he is silent...just lays his head on our arm...if we don't wake...we get his front paws also...he is 85 lbs...and trust me, you wake up. We find Saralee waiting at the door. Your pups are smarter than you think...and it's not that hard to train them.
I am well into my 60s and have never had a puppy. All of my dogs have been older rescue dogs. We now have 2 eight week old Chihuahua puppies. Technically, not rescued but we got them from an ad on line, from a guy who got 3 of them from "an old man who couldn't take care of them, but thought maybe they had some shots". When we went to see them, I fell in love. I had to put my Chi down 2 years ago after 9 years and still miss him. I didn't have the heart to break up sisters, someone had already taken the third one or we probably would have all three. We got them last Thursday, Friday they went to the vet for shots and de-flea-ing. They were loaded with fleas. Now what to do with them? They are pretty good at night in fact slept until 4:15 this morning, so no complaints there. We're trying to housebreak them to go outside. Not working well! We live in the country so worry about hawks swooping down on them. I tried putting them on leashes, but they hate them and I think even though we have the lightest leashes we could find, they are just too heavy. Naturally they go in opposite directions when they're free How long does it take to housebreak and suggestions on anything else would be more than welcome. also, what do you do about them crying to be held? Holding is wonderful, I love it, but can't do it the whole time they are awake!