Schnauzer(Standard) separation anxiety and defecating in crate

Question
Hi again, thank you for your answer.  I bought our Standard Schnauzer from a breeder (40 yrs of breeding), when I called they said she was in the crate a lot, with other dogs around but never had this problem and they said it was probably the change that brought it on. They suggested I do not 'give in' and stay with her a lot- just let her get over it.  On the other hand I do not want her to feel that the crate is punishment or imprisonment.  What should I do to make her feel that the crate is her safe place and when I am gone, I will return?  
Thank you for your help and your earlier reply which was very helpful to begin figuring out this issue.



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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi, thanks for you help:
Daisy, our Standard schnauzer puppy, has been with us for 3 days now (she is 3.5 months old), and we have been crate training her.  She potties well outside and gets to go out 4-6 times a day.  She is very happy with her crate and plays, sleeps comfortably in it whenever we are around and in sight.
However, when she does not see us, she cries a lot: I have had to leave her briefly in the crate alone, for 30 minutes at a time, once to put my daughter (2yrs old) to bath and bed, and then again the next day to drop her off to day care- both times she cried the entire time (when I was in the house I heard her and I assume the same when I was out of the house) and both times she defecated in her crate, stepped in it and had it all over her paws, towel, etc.  She had been outside and pottied, both times, so I assume this is stress related and separation anxiety related.
What can we do to help her and stop her soiling her crate?
Thank you again,
Sonia
-----Answer-----
This definately sounds like anxiety to me. Can i ask you where you got the dog? It sounds like a petstore dog. Typically standard schnauzers are one of the best dogs around..no problems at all. But if they are raised in a petstore or at a breeder that keeps the dog in the crate all the time, these types of behaviors can develop. You should look for a behaviorist in your area that deals with desensitization and seperation anxiety...good luck. let me know if you need anything else.
nancy

Answer
I believe you were lied to. Yes, i figured the dog was in a crate alot..here is the problem and good breeders know this. When a dog is in a crate alot, he has no choice but to potty and step in it.it is even worse if other dogs are in there because then there is a problem mulitplied. You need a behaviorist to come to your home. this can be fixed -dont give up
good luck
nancy