My Basset/terrier WAS crate trained. I am home most of the day but when I leave it is for ver short periods. In the last couple of weeks he has progressivly gotten worse about pooping and peing in the crate. The first time it happened we excused it as an accident, then a few days later we excused it again... now it is every time I leave the house even if it is for 10 minutes (where I used to not crate him for the short trips without incident).

I am not sure how to correct this. He is otherwise a smart and happy puppy. Any advise is appreciated!

Hello, are you using a large crate, if the crate is too large they will sometime learn to use one corner on the cage as a spot urinate or defecate in. Do you take him out before you put him in the crate and take him outside as soon as you let him out of the crate and are you leaving the puppy something to keep him occupied while you are gone like a favorite toy of a blanket. Sorry for all the question :confused: but it is hard to help sometimes.

Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/. Dogs are not mature until about 3 years old. As they mature, they challenge you for leadership and status. Firmly establishing your status as top dog will help.

Eliminating in the crate is a very effective way of upsetting you and proving you can't control him. You need to reduce the consequences to you. Remove the bedding and replace it with a rack. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. Urine goes through the rack and can easily be sponged up. Bowel movements don't work quite as well, but still limit how much of a mess he can make of himself.

Stand your ground. Do all the top dog stuff, eating first, go through the doorway first, reserve the best sleeping places, make him move out of your way, make him sit quietly before opening the door for him or feeding him, etc. Use the rack to reduce the problem. Control your emotions. They are hard to hide form a dog. As his protest is less and less effective, and you show you are top dog, he should give it up before long.

Neuter him if not already. It is no cure all, but does reduce behavior problems. Certainly dogs with behavior problems should not be used as breeding stock. It also reduces chances of cancer in later life.