Tell me if I sound like I am on the right track, dog experts. I take my 9 week old puppy out right after she eats/drinks or plays excessively, immediately after being in her crate and if she has fallen asleep just as soon as her eyes open, we're out the door. It feels like she's catching on- Carli never fails to relieve herself when we go outside (I also use code words with her). We went all weekend with no accidents until last night when I was in the bath and DH didn't catch her after her nap. Normally, she even wakes me up around 3 am to go pee and I oblige. I don't give her treats for doing her business outside, but I do give lots of positive reinforcement when she does.
Am I on the right track, guys, or am I not doing this correctly?
I've had people tell me to use the pee pads (which I'm not really sure if that's a good idea or not- to me it seems like she would be encouraged to pee in the house). I've had people tell me that by getting up at 3 in the morning with her I am setting a bad precedent. I feel like 8-9 hours is a long time for a puppy to hold their bladder, especially that young. I'm not wrong about that, am I?
Sorry for the long post but I want to make sure I am not making the housetraining process more complicated than it is.

Am I on the right track, guys, or am I not doing this correctly?
I've had people tell me to use the pee pads (which I'm not really sure if that's a good idea or not- to me it seems like she would be encouraged to pee in the house). I've had people tell me that by getting up at 3 in the morning with her I am setting a bad precedent. I feel like 8-9 hours is a long time for a puppy to hold their bladder, especially that young. I'm not wrong about that, am I?
Sorry for the long post but I want to make sure I am not making the housetraining process more complicated than it is.