You need to take puppy outside before anything else in the morning. If they hear you take a shower, you are sure to find poop in the crate. Keep to a schedule for puppy, feed and then right outside at the same times each day. Lots of praise when they go potty outside. Some dogs will tell you how they want to be taken out. Rosie demanded to have a leash and use the front yard. We took her to the "magic spot" and got a puddle every time. She then got a tiny mini walk as a reward. Eventulally we made her use the back yard, but the idea was to do her business outside. Also when a puppy starts looking and sniffing in the house, say her name then "outside" and grab pup and out you both go. After a while they all get the idea. My dogs love the crate. It has a pillow and food bowl so it is not a bad scarry place to them! Good luck!