I have a 4 month old german shorthaired puppy that poops in his crate when I leave him during the day. It was only 2 hours once in a while. He sleeps in it all night and doesn't do anything but it's in my bedroom and he knows we are there. This is the first pup that I am trying to crate train and it's tough.I will have to leave him for 4 hours and the thoughts of him sitting in poop just breaks my heart. I know he must have anieity when we leave because he has always had someone around since we got him at 14 weeks. I can't let him loose in the house because he might harm himself.

You might try putting him out to go before crating him. Always wait until they go before letting them in. Cold weather should mean they stay out longer, until the bowel relaxes after coming out of the warm house.