answer:Great question! I have two dogs now 8 & 9 that I have had both since they were puppies one since 6weeks (shepardX) and the other (Lab) since 10weeks. I know all about “the being separated too early”, my now 9yr old shepherdx still sucks on a blanket as a a replacement for what he missed from his mom. My 6week old puppy I had in the dead of winter and I took him outside in the middle of the night with no harm done, I live in Ontario and the Winters here can be horribly cold. I just made sure that my guy wasn’t out too long and I quickly warmed him up when we got in. I think you are ok as long as you don’t exceed about 5 or maybe 10 minutes outside. If you potty train on the pad at night it could be useful but it may pose a problem that your potty training time could be delayed. Either choice will work, I think it’s more personal, if you feel better with the pad do it that way. :) Good luck! Congrats on your new bff!