[turbulence]

Wow!
Thanks everyone for all the replies, there is a huge wealth of information right there and it is very appreciated.

After reading this, I agree that perhaps a young puppy is not the way I want to go at this stage as I really don't have the time and or experience to devote to "raising" it including toilet training and all of that stuff.. so I might be better off with a slightly older dog that is already toilet trained?
Could I still take an older dog to training to refine it?

My main worry though is that if I got an older dog, say 1 year old, will he/she build the same kind of bond with me that a puppy would? That is really what I am looking for.
My last dog we had since she was 8 weeks old and she bonded with me so closely because I was there from the start.

In regards to leaving the dog outdoors/indoors during the day. To be honest, leaving it outdoors wouldn't be preferred anyway and if I can try the crating technique/leaving the dog indoors.. it would probably be easier with an older dog because it won't be as inclined to wreck my house :D ?