6 months old, crate freedom? - Page 2

Do you crate him at night?  You might try sleeping on the couch with him loose and see what happens.  I mention this because I was recovering from surgery and decided to let my girl out at night since I was sleeping very lightly.  She glued herself to my side and never touched a thing.  After that we started leaving her out when we made short (15 minute) trips away.  There were a few incidents but we worked on that and now we can leave her for hours and have been since she was 7mo.  There will be casualties, try to limit them by shutting doors and putting things out of reach, especially electrical cords.  Stand in the middle of the room and slow turn around looking at it as if for the first time.  You will be amazed at what suddenly looks dangerous or in peril of being swallowed.  Assume nothing!  Good luck.
Deb

Speaking from MUCH experience on this matter, I would wait a while personally. As was stated, you know your dog best, however, I would rather be safe than sorry. If their isn't something entertaining, they will make one up, find one, create one. My 6 month old just decided to reach over her pen wall and chew a hole in the wall while I was in the shower. When my male was young, he ate remotes, books, comforters, shredded sheets and pillows. My older bitch still gets bored and gets into things if not crated. She has shredded/eaten area rugs, (one was a silk Persian handmade rug bought in Dubai), stuffed animals, and a 20 foot cotton leash she swallowed like a spaghetti noodle and had to be surgically removed, at the tune of $2k. Thousands of dollars later, I have come to the conclusion that a little boredom and confinement to save them from themselves is worth it. ;-) JMO Theresa

IMO Pups will be pups for the first two years. I have learned not to trust a young dog alone unsupervised loose in the house especially when I'm not in the house. No way. I have learned even with dogs under two years not to even make or buy them a dog bed because most times until they are two they will destroy or partially destroy them.
If you can afford to replace some of your belongings....try it, otherwise, if he is content in an appropriate sized crate while you are away from home....just be grateful....give him a toy and enjoy your belongings.

good god, what was i thinking!!! this is such a great forum, lots of good advice from knowledgeable people. he will be staying in his crate for a bit longer.  thanks everybody for all of your input.