I teach kindergarten and have a 4 month old yorkie. He has been crate trained from the get go due to his accidents on the carpet and comfort/safety for him. At first he didn't really like the crate but now he LOVES it. Sometime when I am home and can't find him I go in his room and he is all snuggled up in the crate chewing on a chew stick. I bought a xlarge crate so that I could make him a living area and an area for the restroom. I got the crate with the divider in it and cut a small portion out so that he can walk through to use the restroom and then back through to his bedding/living area. It work perfect and he loves it. Its like a one bedroom, one bath condo for him.
I think they are fine with being left for up to 7 hours but I try to get home right at 3 to take him out and play. But it's different with all dogs.
