Okay, I have to throw my two cents in here. Hope nobody minds.
Rose already explained the chaining, and I have to ask you not to chain a dog, especially a puppy, unless you are outside with it. You can NEVER leave a dog unnatended on a chain.
Belly bands are the contraption you're talking about, and they are not for house training. They are for male dogs, that have marking problems. I've read that the Belly Band stays wet when the dog urinates, (to deter the dog from marking in the house) and since a puppy urinates every hour or two, it would do you no good at all. You'd have to clean it every time he pees, and you're not teaching him anything that way. If you just take him out every hour, after he wakes up, after he eats, and after he plays, you won't have a problem. I had two pups, both around 8 wks, and I just took them out very often, and had no messes. Good ol' house training is the very best. When you are at school, you'll just have to put him in a puppy proofed room (like a bathroom) with some puppy pads. Crating a young dog won't do anything for you, if you were considering crate training for your new buddy. When he's a bit older, you could crate train him; it's just that when he's little, he pees very often, and he'd be sitting in it all day.
Dog doors are just asking for trouble unless you have a secure fenced yard. I don't like dog doors. If your yard isn't fenced, and your baby is allowed to just run out the door whenever he pleases, he'll wander off, looking for something to play with, and could get hit by a car. And, none of us want for your new baby to get hurt!
Now, I'm sure you've read somewhere that all puppies make messes, right? I'm just wondering if your dad is prepared for a little pee on the carpet. That's all. I'm quite sure that you won't mind cleaning up after him. And, you have to obedience train them, as well. Pups are a handful for a firsttime dog owner. Why is it, if I may ask, that you want a puppy? An older dog is a much better choice for a first time dog owner. Gaddy got Tippy and May as adults, and she'll tell you that an adult dog will love you just as much as a puppy will. You don't have to raise it from puppy hood for it to love you. I'd really reccomend getting an adult dog this time around, and then getting a puppy the next time. But, that's just my opinion, and I think it would be much easier for you to get an adult this time.
But, just remember when you are at the shelter, not to go by the age of the dog; go by it's personality. The right dog will choose you, if you let it.
Good luck with the new furkid!! I'd love to see pictures! Have you thought of any names, yet? Names are always hard for me. If any of this post came out as harsh, I'm very sorry, that's not how it's meant at all. I think you will make a fabulous dog owner/buddy whatever you do!
