My dog is acting out, would a play mate help?

Question
I adopted a dog about 2 years ago from a shelter. She is a sweet lab mix, now about 3 years old. She has always been in a crate while we are gone during the day, but has free range of the house when we are home. She has never chewed anything, and she is potty trained. If she is left out of her crate when we are not home, she does get in the garbage. Recently, she shredded the plastic tray in the bottom of her crate. Today, she was in her crate, she pooped all over, then somehow got out of her crate and left poop prints all over my house. She also chewed up the garbage, and pooped again in another room. My daughter thinks she needs a playmate. After today, I think she must be nuts to think I could handle another dog. Any suggestions?

Answer
From the sounds of it,she is probably bored when you are out-what is often a good idea would be to give her a big run in the yard when you are out,or to give her a long walk

Also there is a natural product called 'rescue remedy' what you do is put a couple of drops on a treat and it calms them right down

But if neither of these works,you will have to find a trainer that can deal with dogs like that,and will find a solution to your problem,often they will have you set up a camera when you are away so they can see how the dog is acting

Right now you do not want another dog,because sometimes the other dog will join in the trouble of the current dog-so i don't think you need another one at this point