Dog keeps pooping in the house...

Question
I adopted my dog on Oct. 2008, her name is Ella,a lab-mix, and she is spayed. I use the crate training method for her, because it has worked for me in the past. I knew she would have her mishaps everynow and then. At first she was responding fine, she would hold it till I got home from college or from work. She did well for a good 3 months, but this month she took it upon herself to start pooping in the cage (which she never did) and I could take her out, she will poop, bring her in the house I go into my room and ten minutes later when i come out she has pooped again. There is no food laying around that she could get to, I do leave water out. I take her out alot, I give her treats when she poops outside and give her words of encouragement but to no avail. I admit that I have scolded her when she has pooped inside, but it has not changed our relationship. One thing I have noticed about Ella is that she is not very attached to me, she always wants to do her own thing.
My question is what can I first to get her attention and draw her closer to me, then two, what can I do to get her to stop pooping in the house?

Answer
There isn't enough information to say why the dogs habit has changed. But if the dog has not bonded, it also means the dog thinks its still the pack leader. If not already in process, start with basic obedience. That established the rules of co-habitation. Next is the nothing for free program. The dog gets nothing unless it "works" for it. Dogs want to work and feel valuable to their human owners. So teh dog is told to sit, down, give paw, whatever, before it gets food, treats, attention, etc. Also teach the dog to wait so it doesn't lunge at food, toys, etc. The dog is told to sit - wait and the desired item is slowly brought to floor level. If the dog lunges the slow elevator stops, but not pulls away. This usually takes about 10 minutes to master. It emphasizes the role of humas as dominant alpha and dog as #2. In obedience class, the left about turn teaches the dog to move out of your space. The dog has to move backwards for the owner to pass. Think of a bar fight. The opponents get closer together as it escalates (in your face) and invades the personal space of the other person. The alpha wins and the beta backs off.

We can't make a dog or any animal "love" us. But the animal will "love" the person that feeds it, trains it, etc. Socailization with other dogs is helpful if the dog was not well socialized before you adopted it.

Regards,
Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC