[Ayoka]

I agree that crating or limiting your dog's acess to rooms where she can't wreak havoc, while you are gone is the only way to be SURE she doesn't chew your furniture.

Crates are not bad! Especially when they are used when necessary to protect a dog from and especially when from what you say, you come home to let her out mid day and exercise her! I also hvae to agree that there is an added benefit to training in that you get a mentally tired dog. We train daily or every other day in agility (classes and our own time) and days when we can't we do some obedience stuff we work on obedience things inside or tricks or games. There is nothing more peaceful than my house after a class. With a dog that tired, being in a crate makes no difference - he's sleeping!