I have a 11 week old goldendoodle puppy that I got from a breeder 2 weeks ago. I have been crate training since day 1 but for some reason she is pooping in it and then laying or playing in it afterwards. The divider has been applied so that she only has enough room to stand up and turn before lying down again. She is fed at 7am and again at 4pm. She only has water from 7am right up until about 9pm. She goes outside to do her business and she even will ring the bell to let me know that she needs to go outside. She is placed in her crate around 8:30am for about 20 minutes so that I can drop my daughter off at daycare and she has been brought outside 2-4 times beforehand and she has even went poop too! I place her in her crate at 11:45am for 20 minutes while I pick my daughter up at daycare. She is also placed in her crate from about 12 midnight until 7am during which time I will take her outside 3 times.

I have tried cleaners in the crate that will hide the aminia scent. I have taken her outside prior to crating. I am not overfeeding her. I am praising her when she goes in the crate and given her a bite sized treat too! For the times she does not poop in there I will praise her very enthusiastically. I have talked to the vet and the breeder for assistance. She had a poop sample tested for parasites and other good stuff 2 days after bringing her home.

I think it might be some kind of separation anxiety but I am no expert.

How do I correct this behaviour? What am I missing?

Dogs do the strangest things but pooping in the crate after going outside sound like she needs to be out longer. She might also be doing it because she is scared without you. You also have to remember that she was just taken to a new home and it takes time for these things. I would remove the water bowl around 6 or 7 pm and take her outside for a while before bed time. Puppies are just like kids, time and patience is what it takes and if you can try taking her with you during the day. If not try leaving her alone in her crate for 5-10 minutes at a time while you are home and checking in on her. If that workd gradually increase the time by 5 minutes or so. In a few weeks the problem should resolve itself if not see if a neighbor will check in on her during the day. She might just be a social dog.