I set up skype to automatically answer on my laptop (made the dog her own account). I’d leave her loose in the house when I left for short trips and I’d call her on skype from my phone so I could see what she was doing (this was before people had cheap WiFi cameras on their homes). 9/10 she was asleep, either in her crate (door open) or on the couch.

I work from home and her crate is in my office now. She sleeps in it most of the day. I have a cover for it so it’s a nice, safe den that is just for her.

Anonymous wrote:I have had 3 dogs and only crated until they were house broken.
Leave the dog out for short periods and see how she does, then you can try longer periods of time.

I agree dogs like having a " den" area. This does not mean they want to be stuck in their crate for hours on end.

+1