Starting out right

Which is the best way to get our new puppy adapted to our house and family? Should i let the puppy sleep with us for the first few days? or do I imediatly let him start getting him used to the crate? should I keep the door on the crate closed? or should he have the freedom to go in and out?

I also would like to know how long can he be left in the crate alone with the door closed? Will he go to the bathroom in his crate or will he hold it until he can't anymore? I guess what i really want to know is; When I have to leave him for 8 to 10 hours how is the best way to handle it?
Carmen

• My puppy is almost a year old now (Mason). We kept him confined to the kitchen in the dayand in his crate at night (with the door shut) He cried a little the first night and that was it! He still sleeps in his crate at night and loves it. I think when they are so small they get overwhelmed when they have too much space. We gradually gave him more room to explore He was totally trained at about 12 weeks. Must have done something right, he's a great addition to our family.
  Karen