Totally agree, repetition is the key and start as you mean to go on. Puppy pads mean you are doing the same training twice. Once for the pads and then for outside.
I don't agree that puppy pads mean you have to train twice. I used puppy pads for both William and Louis in the area where they were put at night or if I was out. Much easier to clean up than a carpet. I also used to put a puppy pad on the kitchen floor near the back door when they were very young in case they couldn't make it outside in time or if I missed the signs or forgot to put them out frequently, but it didn't seem to cause confusion. I took them into the garden after every meal, every time they woke up and lots of times in between and praised them when they went. They both soon learned that the garden was the place to go but a puppy pad was an alternative if outside wasn't availablle.
I can't remember their ages they were fully housetrained, although I know Louis took longer than William to be able to go through the night, but he's always taken longer to learn things than William
Whatever method you use, just be consistent and remember to praise Rocco when he gets it right and clear up without getting grumpy when he goes in the house
. Mine recognise "go pee" as a sign that I want them to pee or poo because I taught them that when they were young by saying it the second that they started to pee (outside) then praised them.
