Pooping in crate

Question
I have a 6 month old mini Daschund.  She is in a crate that is sized for the smallest of dogs.  She does not have any more space in there than is allowable for her to lay down.  She is still having issues where she poops in her crate.  What is most frustrating is that I know she has the ability to hold it.  I almost feel that she waits for me to leave.  She is fed at 5 am.  I do not leave for work until 7:30 am.  Most mornings she will go for me outside. At noon, I have someone come to let her out.  Sometimes she has gone, sometimes the crate is clean.  She will usually pee for the dog walker at that time.  She spends about an hour playing and then back in her crate.  If she has not pooped in there in the morning she most almost will have pooped by the evening.  Sometimes she will go both morning and evening.  I have a dog walker coming back at 5 pm as well, which is also when she gets fed again.  I am getting a little frustrated because there will be times when I am at home where she will eat and not poop for hours.  On Sunday for example, she ate at 7:30 am and did not poop until 4 pm.  (She was not in her crate at all either).  I am not sure what else to try for her.  I am contimplating getting a grate for the bottom of the crate in the effort minimize the mess (SHE RUNS THROUGH IT AND SPREADS IT AROUND) but I would hate for her to be uncomfortable and I don't want her to become acustom to going in the crate.  We had tried putting her in a puupy proof room, but she still pooped and would still run though it.  Do you have any suggestions?  

Answer
This is from a question, I just answered:  ''A healthy 3 month old should easily be able to go 4-5 hours.  I do think it is in protest.  Many experts say no way.  None of my puppies have ever done it.  However, I have seen hundreds of questions about like yours.  Remove the bedding and put a rack in the crate. A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper.''

The last puppy was urinating where the racks are more effective.  They do help with bowel movements.  I have been using them for years with the new puppy I have every year.  I doubt they are as comfortable as a blanket would be.  I never tried it, but I have suggested trying wood chips.  Nobody has ever reported back whether it worked or not.  

The other thing is obedience training.  Too many small dog owners fail to do it.  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/   

I hardily commend you for using the dog walker.  A great compromise between the realities of earning a living and your dog's needs.