Well what I do is this. I puppy proofed the kitchen. I put her crate in there but leave door open and put a good gate in entry way. I used child locks on bottom cabinets. Not ideal but much better than crating 13 hours! Put down puppy pad or newspaper. Will take you longer to house break but it worked well with last 2 dogs. By the time they were 8 or 9 months old they could last before I came home and let them out. Leave a radio on also.