Wow, that's a lot of questions. Voiding is a medical word, sorry, my medical background is showing. He is a norwegian elkhound. I've had him a month now. Got him from a local puppy store. He has always done this, not getting better or worse. My vet says it should have gotten better by now, referred me to a dog trainer. He is pretty good otherwise, doesn't pee in the house too often, only if I don't take him out as fast as he'd like to go out. He plays the game, he'll want to go out and he'll pee a little dribble, come in and want to go back out in 10 min, repeat.
He will go to the bathroom anytime in his crate, day or night. (Nighttime only if I don't get up to let him out fast enough). His crate is for a medium sized dog. I had a box in the back of it a couple of weeks ago, because it was suggested he had too much room. I don't think that's the problem now, though. He seems to fit the crate nicely now without a lot of room to maneuver, yet he has enough.
I do not give him food or water in the crate. I used to give him a chew toy or 2 for entertainment, but I threw too many of them away because they were soiled. He does not seem to bark excessively until he has to go out and can't wait anymore. Otherwise he seems to have adjusted to the crate. To clean the crate I either use a damp cloth, then Clorox hard surface anywhere or I have nature's miracle pet wipes I use to clean the poop, or what's left after he ate the rest. I don't even put a towel or blanket down anymore, I thought this might discourage him if he had to lay directly in his pee. It didn't stop him. He was home today for an hour, and peed and pooped in his crate. (the straw that broke my back).
Let me assure you, the dog gets plenty of attention, perhaps too much??? Could he be doing this for spite? I just want to stop the behavior before it can't be broken. I really appreciate the help and advice.