i find it hard to believe a 6 month old puppy can hold it for 12 hours. i don't know many adult dogs that can hold it for 12 hours at a time.

here's some info i have compiled:

http://www.phsspca.org/training/pupp...e_training.htm

As a general rule DO NOT GO BACK TO PUPPY UNTIL AT LEAST 3:30 OR 4AM. By then puppy probably will have to go out for real. Puppy bladders and bowels are just not mature enough to hold it much longer than that. However, some puppies simply cannot go longer than 2-3 hours, even at night, without urinating. If the puppy persists in crying and has been crated for at least 2 hours, assume it has to eliminate and take it outside. Keep these sessions short and quiet. Do not socialize with the puppy and once it has eliminated, take it right back inside and crate it again. The EARLY mornings come with puppy territory, like 2am feedings and babies


http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/housebreak2.htm

Owners who need to be away from home all day may have a more difficult time housebreaking a puppy. It is unrealistic to expect a puppy to last eight to 10 hours without needing to eliminate, even if it can do so overnight. An 8- to 12-week-old puppy can usually go about two to four hours without needing to eliminate.4 When left alone for longer periods, a puppy may be forced to eliminate in its confinement area or elsewhere in the house. This puppy will learn indoor location and substrate preferences. When leaving a puppy for prolonged periods is unavoidable, the owner must provide an acceptable substrate and elimination location. These can be paper or commercially available housebreaking pads left inside a crate or confinement area. But the puppy must have enough space to sleep away from its waste. When at home, owners using the paper-training technique should frequently take their puppies outdoors to eliminate and should discourage indoor elimination by removing the paper or pads and closely supervising the puppy. As the puppy gains increased bladder and bowel control, the substrate can gradually be eliminated.' Most 7- to 9-month-old puppies can go eight to 10 hours without soiling. But if the owner can arrange for someone to let the puppy out after about four hours, partitioning a large crate to encourage the puppy to wait may be preferable.


http://www.wagntrain.com/Housetraining.htm

a few hours after the last time. As a general rule of thumb, a puppy can go one hour for month-of-age plus one. In other words, a two-month-old puppy can hold his bladder and bowels for 3 hours, a three-month-old for 4 hours, a five-month-old for 6 hours. Many puppies cannot be fully housebroken before they are 6 months old. By that age, they can "hold it" for up to 7 hours

you may have been taught that rule of thumb because everyone learns differently. i'm not trying to be an ass or anything i don't mean to be. just my personal opinion along w/ my g/f's and a lot of other people I have spoken w/ is the puppies age in months plus 1.


MIRANDA: do you have any neighbors who could take the dog out while you are at work? atleast until it gets a little bit older and can control its bladder more. but i would also take it into your personal vet just to get their opinion on the matter.