| Crate Question
Hi all!
We are having a slight issue with Stella. I came home from work to 2 notes slipped under my door from 2 neighbors. I live in a condo complex, just some background. When we are gone for anywhere between an hour to 5 or 6 hours, we keep Stella in her crate with a couple toys to keep her occupied. When there are times when our (my boyfriend and my) schedules are pretty much exact, Stella is alone for 7.5-9ish hours. When this occurs, we usually will contact someone to come and let her out and play with her for a little bit, then put her back in her crate.
Now here comes the issue... There are times when we can't find someone to come let her out. In these situations, we leave Stella in our kitchen with toys, a little bit of water, and her crate (open). Today was one of those days. She was left alone from 6AM-2:30PM. One note from a neighbor mentioned the barking started around 6AM, so shortly after I was out of earshot, and continued. The second note didn't mention a time, but was left around 11:30AM. So basically, she barked a lot and really early and on a Sunday. We aren't sure if she does this all the time or if she barks when she's crated or what. One of the 2 neighbors weren't home, so we haven't been able to talk to them.
My question is: Is it okay to leave a 7mo. puppy in a crate for that long? (8.5 hours) She hasn't had any accidents in a LONG time... and she doesn't have an accident in the kitchen when left in there. She knows to hold it and is capable of doing so.
On a different note, to try to eliminate this issue (if it is only occuring with the Kitchen incidents), I am going to be changing my availability at work so there isn't a chance I can get scheduled at the same time as my boyfriend.
Any advice would be great. Thanks! | 
