We just adopted a 3.5 month old hound mix puppy 2 days ago. This is my first time housetraining a puppy, as our previous dog was already housebroken.

He is a coonhound/black mouth cur mix.

He is doing pretty well... responding to sit, etc. As far as housetraining is concerned, we are just curious about what is typical.

We are learning the signs, using the crate, using the key language, and taking him out often - and after playing, naps, and eating. We know it is OUR job to take him out, not his job to let us know. We feel pretty educated on the process, but are just curious... is it normal for him to be having an accident one a day... is normal, good, bad?

If he is having an accident only once a day at 3 months old, id say the potty training is going very well! I've had my fair share of dogs (my sister and I are foster parents for different animal shelters and rescues in our area) sounds like he is on his way to soon having no accidents! Maybe letting him out once, or twice more than usual will stop the accidents inside. A piece of advice, don't let the puppy do anythibg you wouldn't want him t do as a full grown adult.dog.

Examples such as biting, playing with shoes, tearing up cardboard. Etc. goodluck with your new friend!

I posted that and guess what? 3 accidents in the house yesterday! Oh well, live, learn, and try again today. I'm keeping track of all of the times he eats, plays, goes outside, has accidents, etc. to try to look for patterns... so we'll see today.

As far as unwanted behavior is concerned, I definitely try to think of him as the adult dog he will be and try to be consistent about telling him no and diverting his attention.

I know we don't want his crate to be thought of as punishment, but there has been a time or two where he's gotten SO wound up (barking, nipping, jumping... not even trying to divert his attention to playing ball worked), that we put him in there (without yelling at him) to just calm down for a few minutes, and then took him out (straight outside to pee first, of course!) to try again. Is there a better/different way to handle that?