When we go out - our dog - a shepherd goes into her crate - it's big enough that she can stand - sit - turn around - and we don't have to worry about her getting into trouble or hurting herself when we're not there - the longest she has been left is 3 or 4 hours - and she's fine with it - her crate has always been the place she goes when she wants some off duty time - so it's no big deal -