They can not refuse you a travel document if you meet the RO (residency obligation). The RO for a new PR is defined as still being able to spend 730 days in Canada before their first 5 years are up. Therefore, that gives you 1095 days to be outside so as long as you apply for a travel document within 3 years of landing, even if you haven't spent any time in Canada, they would have to give you one.
As for getting a PR card while not in Canada, when you land, you are asked to provide an address. If you provide an address of a friend of family member and they get your PR card in the mail, they can mail it to you where you are.