Another option that we used for a while when our second dog was a puppy was to have an exercise pen set up with the crate in it. The crate is where he would rest, and then you could place a pee pad outside of the crate. (My dog tore up the pee pads so we ended up getting one of those grass pads, like the potty patch) and he would pee on that if he had to go while we were gone. If he does ok with that, then you could actually leave a water bowl in their with him.
I would always tell my dogs that I was “going to work” and eventually they would understand that I was going out and would be gone for a while, but would come back. I think this helped with any separation anxiety. You might want to try practicing this for short amounts of time (like on a weekend) and then slowly increase the amount of time you are gone. As he gets older you will also be able to be away from him and the house for longer periods as he will be able to hold his bladder for longer.
]]>As for crate training, I've always heard to REDUCE the space if they are peeing in it. 🙂
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