My dog Pixie loves her ex-pen and she knows when we go somewhere that is where she goes just bc I feel safer knowing that she can't get into anything, and she can't irritate Daisy my (6 yr Jack-a-poo).
I can't imagine leaving the whole house to Pixie while I was gone all day
I think I would come home to different house. lol Of course Pixie is 10 months old so it might make a big difference.
I would leave a radio on while your gone, so that she doesn't feel so alone. You could start by gradualy getting her use to being home alone.
I would say if she loves the kitchen and she can look outside maybe a gate and keep her confined to the kitchen.