4 month old poodle poops in kitchen and on rug

Question
Hi there!  We have had our mini poodle, Claire, for a little over three weeks now and she will be 4 months old in a week.  She has been pooping and peeing on the puppy pads since a week after we brought her home.  But randomly, when no one is home or overnight when everyone is sleeping in their rooms, we'll come home or wake up to find that she has pooped in different areas - such as the kitchen floor or on her play-rug.  FYI: We have not had Claire crated.  Another thing is that Claire gets extremely excited when she sees us (family members) and wags her tail zealously but when we walk to her or kneel down to pick her up, she tucks in her tail and backs away.  We are very affectionate with her and love to hold her and cuddle her all the time.  Perhaps this is why she wimpers a lot when we all go in to sleep at night.  She comes to our doors and starts scratching at the door and wimpering.  We check to see if she has plenty of food and water and this is not the problem.  She must be too attached to us.

Thanks for helping with all these questions!  We have too much love for Claire and too little skills!

Answer
Hi Catherine,
Claire sounds like a little love bug.  I'm sure she wants in your rooms with you to snuggle and sleep at night with you.  I would suggest that you do confine her to an area that is smaller when your not with her.  If you have a baby gate may be you could confine her to the kiten area or laundry area when your not with her during the day or at night.  It will keep her in eye shot of the potty pads and she will stop having accidents out of protest that she isn't getting what she wants. :0)
Good luck with your little girl!

Brandie