1. 8+ hours is entirely too long for a 9-week old puppy to be left alone with no potty break. there needs to be someone to come back to the house at least once or twice during that time to allow him to relieve himself.
2. you are better off in the beginning with an appropriately sized crate before graduating to a larger playpen. the limited space is key to training your puppy to not use the bathroom in his living area. if he is exposed to an area that is too large, he may use the bathroom in a section of the playpen. although, if no one can come home 