We had to leave SuzyQ crated during the day for a long time. I don't remember exactly but I'm sure she was 8-9 mos before we let her start staying out for a little while at a time (in a confined area) and well over a year before she got rid of the crate altogether. (some of those early times were not terribly successful from our point of view). Honestly she didn't seem to mind the crate too much, they sleep most of the time anyway. When we were home and she was out loose, she would go into her crate and curl up to sleep. It was like her safe place. She would duck in there when daddy got mad and yelled no at her too loud. It is much easier if you can get him a good run/playtime before you put him in the crate, the less energy he has built up the better. Leave him fun toys to play with and something comfy to curl up in and he will be fine. SuzyQ was the first dog we crate trained and it was so much easier on her and us than having to come home to a mess in the house and having to deal with that.
