[RachelandSadie]

i crate mine for bedtime, and anytime i'm home and need to do something i crate her and bring her into the room i'm in. she has 24 hour access to a crate either in the living room with us, or there is a doorless on in her x-pen

when i'm gone for more than 2 hours i always use the x-pen and pee pads. i don't think a crate should be used in long term confinement, just for sleeping and short trips or for keeping them outta trouble when you have to clean or cook or get ready.

added: our crate is a pet taxi carrier and our x-pen is a larger exercise pen with her bed, food, water, doorless crate, pee pads, and toys in on the kitchen floor. i use both for short term confinement but only the x-pen for more than 2 hours