He does not poop at night in our bedroom or in house. Only when we leave him in the crate. He barks continually 5 minutes after we leave. Long walks and pooping outside before we leave do not help.

He is a loving, affectionate pup - seems like separation axiety or whatever you want to call it. Any suggestions?

Try something to distract him from your initial departure. Put some treats and peanut butter in a Kong and freeze it over night. Give it to him when you put him in the crate. The frozen peanut butter takes a while, maybe he'll be relaxed by the time he finishes and take a nap. Good luck!

Did you get him from a pet store? Maybe he thinks crates or cages are a place to go potty?

Here's something labman, our Dog Expert, said to someone else with a similar problem (see the links at the bottom of your screen for this thread and others):

"It is difficult working with a dog that has learned one way or another to live in its filth. A good start prevents many difficult problems. Before giving up on the crate, look at a few issues. How big is the crate? If it has more than enough room to stretch out in, try blocking off part of it.

Staying clean a few nights may suggest she would really like to stay clean all the time. Working with her food and eating schedule may help. If you are feeding a regular, grain based chow, switching to a concentrated, meat based one may help by producing smaller stools. They are also less messy. If cost is a problem, there are house brands, and by feeding less, it reduces the difference in cost. At 8 months you could cut back to one meal if that works for her. More, smaller meals might work too. Feeding earlier or later to move the bowel movement away from the middle of the night could help too.

Covering a wire crate or putting it in a corner or under a table could make it more of a den and less of a cage, maybe making it more acceptable.

Last of all, just because I think crates are the best solution for most dogs, doesn't mean that yours might not do better on a tiedown, a short length of chain with a snap on the end. With the dog confined to a small are with a hard surface, it has some of the advantages of a crate without her past issues with one. In your bed room might be best. If it is carpeted, add a hard surface, a piece of plywood or a chair mat from an office supply might work. Keep electrical cords, stuffed toys, books, etc. out of reach. No one solution to anything works for all dogs."