Pooping beagle

Question
We've had our beagle for almost 5 years. He was very quick to housebreak. We used a crate for the first few months but once he was fully house broken we left him without putting him in the crate and he was fine.  For the bast 3 months or so, he has been going poop in the house when I go to work. We started putting him back in the crate and it worked for a couple of weeks but then he started pooping in the crate, which he has never done before.. I just has a baby about 6 months ago, could this be the reason why? What can we do about this?

Answer
Hi April:

changes in the household environment can definitely affect your dog.  So the introduction of a new member of the family, especially a baby can cause this type[e of behaviour.

Continue to use the crate, and watch the timing after feeding. Clean the area's where he/she has pooped with an enzyme cleaner to remove all traces of scent he/she can smell.

Ensure, your dog is getting adequate exercise and attention, take time out of your day to give to him/her alone.

Often these things resolve themselves with time as the dog gets used to the new situation.