I have the exact same problem with my 2 year old Yorkie. I know he has serious separation anxiety and absolutely hates his crate. I've had to keep him in it while I'm at work because he will go on the floor if no one is home. When we are home he sits in front of us and huffs to let us know he needs to be taken out. Everyday when I come home he has either peed or pooped or both in his crate. Another issue I have is that he barks constantly while he's in there. When have a Jack Russell that's older and is allowed to roam free during the day. I know this is another reason for Teddy's behavior issues in the crate.
He's a wonderful dog otherwise but I'm at a loss as to what to do to help him either like his crate or not go to the bathroom while we are gone. I've gotten complaints from neighbors in our complex about his barking but I can't leave him out on his own all day because I know I'll come home to a serious mess. The playpen is a good idea. Perhaps I'll try that and see if it works. I believe at this point he believes his crate is a bad thing. The breeder I brought him from never used them and even though I went through all the steps to properly crate train him he has never learned to like it. I have to force him in there every morning, often times chasing him down or having to pull him out from under our kitchen table.
