[new to labs]

My 14 week old lab is pooping in her crate and then it gets all over her and the crate and the floor around the crate. By the time I get home it is dried and caked on her and everywhere else. She is almost in a panic when I get home. Then we tried to lock her up in a little bigger area with a gate but she escaped every time. I am at my wits end as to what to do with her. Everyone I tell this story to says that they don't like to dirty their crates but I am here to tell you that they may not like it but she still is doing it. We have had her for about a month and we having been cleaning up a mess when we get home for just as long. It is not getting better.

[shazamataz]

Sounds like she has separation anxiety.

Do you only lock her up when you go out for a long time?
Try this:

Put her in her crate like you normally would when you go out.
Leave the room out the front door as normal but come back in straight away.
Let her out of the crate and give her attention.

Later in the day, put her in her crate and leave again but this time wait a minute before coming back inside.
Again, let her out and praise her.

Keep repeating this leaving the amount of time you come back longer and longer.
She will eventually learn that you aren't leaving her and that you are going to come back.

Make sure you leave her lots of toys as well.
I always recommend Kongs, they are a rubber ball basically with a hole in them to put food inside. They will keep her amused for hours trying to figure out how to get the food out.
Squeeky toys are great as well.

You can also try leaving the TV or a radio on for her to listen to (sounds pointless, but it works)

It will take time but you can train it out of her :)

[Catsmine]

Got to spread the rep, but Shaz nailed this one. I am a firm believer in kennel runs, but I realize not a lot of people have those available, so this crate training regimen is the best alternative.

[mudsmom]

As the other said a radio is a good idea, it mask sounds of people and cars outside that may sound frightening. You can also get a stuffed animal that has a heart beat. It helps them to think they are not alone.

[liz28]

Shazzy is right because my fiancé went through this with his lab. When we leave for work we leave the TV on so our lab and pitbull won't feel alone.

Also, maybe you should something in his crate that has your scent on it. When we trained our lab to sleep his bed this worked. Otherwise he would keep getting up in the middle of the night to sleep with us and I didn't like that because he is too big and takes up more than half of the bed.