What a little beauty she is
and I know what your going through my little 4month Beagle is just the same. The crate thing was suggested to me but we managed without it, like you he has his own little space with his bed and food.
Now that he knows who is boss it is getting easier, but I do have to keep reminding him or he forgets and tries to rule the roost.
The peeing thing has gotten less as he's has got bigger.
The one thing I cant seem to stop him doing is pinching things and keeping them in his bed.
Good luck Arnold.