Help: Puppy Peeing on the Sly!

[mss]

Frida (13-week old girl) has been with us for a little over a week and has developed a curious habit in the last 3 days: When her crate is left open (so that she can go in and out, as is suggested in Crate Training 101) she runs in and, before you can bend down to check what she's up to, she squats and pees! Then she darts out and goes back to whatever she was doing. I know for a fact that she has NEVER peed in there while closed in, during the day or at night. It seems to only happen when she has the ability to run out. We have our kitchen gated off and usually leave the crate in there during the day, so she can go in if she wants (to get away from kids, chew on toys, nap, whatever)...but now I feel like I have to keep the door closed and deny her access to her crate! This seems to go against what we want to do, in terms of getting her comfortable with her crate on her own terms, but I also don't want her to think it's an easy place to go pee when nobody is watching! Why do you think she is doing this and what do you suggest we do? Is closing the door the right option? Also, what about washing the towels and blankets that she uses as "crate bedding"...do I put something special like vinegar in with the load or is detergent and hot water enough? Could it be that she keep smelling urine in there? But then, wouldn't she go at night, too? Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[Oregon Pug Mom]

I have a 4mo old who spends an hour or so every day in her crate while I run errands--she doesn't spend nights in there, I've seen her go in & nap & come out & all of a sudden 1 day she did exactly the same as Frida & peed in there. So I stripped the bedding & washed it & now I keep the door closed & she just goes in when I need to go out. I can't imagine what made her decide to do that either....hopefully someone here will have an idea.