[RowdysMom]

I think the bathroom is an excellent idea - we used to confine our schnauzer to the kitchen with a tile floor - she didn't bother the wood cabinets though. Also, you can get some pretty large metal pens - we have one for Rowdy that we hardly use anymore except when the housekeeper comes (just to keep Rowdy from getting under her feet and bothering her). It is as big as our bathroom would be. It's the kind that is in about 2 & 1/2 foot sections and folds down flat and then you can make it as big or as small as you want it. It's about 3 foot high. Confinement might not have to be permanent, just till she gets over your being gone more than she is used to. When she gets used to the 9 hours, she may do fine loose in the house.