Feeling like a failure

I’ve read a lot of threads here with the similar sentiment so I know it’s a somewhat normal feeling to have. I have a 4 month old English cocker spaniel puppy that has been with me for about a month now.

I wanted to start of strong, crate training, tether training, lock in the routine. Nights were the most difficult the first two weeks. Crate was directly next to my bed but he would cry for hours. Tried putting my headphones in and telling myself that I have to push through but after two weeks my nervous system was out of sorts which I felt was throwing his off and so I decided to take some steps back and let him sleep in the bed.

Nights are now fine with no issues. We wake up he immediately goes outside while I get dressed and get his food ready. He knows to go into his crate for food. He eats in there and then he sits when he’s done to get let out. Super proud of him on this part. Then we go for a 15-20 minute walk around the neighborhood.

Here is where I’m at a loss. I work from home but I do need to get to the gym 4-5 times a week for about two hours which is for the most part the only time he spends alone in the crate. And he HATES it. I can hear him crying all way down the street. And for the last week when I get back he has pooped all over the crate and looks like he eats some of it. This is now the third day in a row this happened and today I was only gone for 20 minutes. I don’t understand what is happening. I feel like I’m failing him and I don’t know what I need to shift around to make sure this does not become a habit.

He’s a good puppy but I can’t seem to get him to understand that he needs to go when we go for our walks and not in the crate. On top of that, he eats very well so I don’t know why he’s trying or wanting to eat it. Should I feed him outside of his crate? Do I need to go back to stern crate training at night? Longer walks?