Thanks for the feedback! To answer some questions-
Mandy, yes, he's a chocolate parti. I should post a pix of him and our Portuguese Water Dog, Harper, who is also brown/white. Elliott looks like a mini-me of Harper but 40 lbs lighter. : D
I take Elliott out for the last potty break at around 11:30pm. I would insist he stay in his crate when he gets up (4:30 if he hears my hubby wake up, otherwise it's 5:30) but he REALLY has to do his business at 5:30. Last month, I tried letting him whine, but then I had a real mess to clean up. I wonder if it's worth trying again, as he is doing a LOT better holding it in during the day. But I'm not sure.
Karen, when I put him back in the crate after he was let out, he'd only sleep for another 1/2 hr. So now, my morning guy hubby, just keeps an eye on him in the kitchen so I can sleep a bit more (rarely can, though. When I'm up, I'm up). At what point will you stop taking Mable out that early?
JoJo, thanks for the reminders. It was a really tough go with little Elliott and I have to remind myself how much progress he's made. He was literally peeing or pooping in the house every 20 minutes and I got NOTHING done for many weeks. Now, my little guy is hanging out with me in my office, napping or playing.
He's become a wonderful little buddy!