If you don’t use a crate…

[Canalboat]

How do you keep puppy safe when you go out?

Best thing would be to lock them in a utility room or a boot room. But even then the gits will chew everything - wires, cupboards, the floor, floorboards, skirting boards etc.

Entirely depends on the age of the puppy - I would never recommend leaving a puppy under six months for more than ten mins. They really can cause some serious damage to themselves and the house

Shut him in the kitchen. He was fine and didn't chew.

We had a doggy playpen.

We just left ours in the living room but he was never destructive, even as a tiny pup.

Depends on the age of the pup, but if very young, get a sitter. Mine isn't fully crate trained and doesn't like being alone so I don't leave him alone for longer than he can cope with (currently one minute and 45 seconds)

Use a crate for a puppy then get rid when older. I know that not what you asked though

I don't like crates for older dogs unless there is a need e.g taking to agility or flyball

Crate training is good for vets too

How old is puppy and how long will it be left?

She’s only 10 weeks now but at about 14 weeks it’s about an hour a couple of times a week. I think I’ll investigate getting someone to sit.

We do have a crate so I am trying to train her. She’s not in it at night

Just don't leave crap lying around.

Baby stair gates / doors

Maybe a crate for an hour a couple of times a week will be ok?

Jeez you don't need someone to sit! Just start with short time and gradually increase it.
I've had several dogs in my lifetime (from mutts to purebreds to 'designer' breeds) and not one had suffered from separation anxiety or been destructive. But you have to do it right.
I did crate train of I got a dog as a puppy. I made it their den - do they associated it with positive things. I put them in there for a little while when I was in the same room. Like nap time. They did stay in there overnight as they weren't allowed upstairs initially (they are now).
When I leave I just walk out the door. I don't make a fuss, or give them a treat, or tell them to 'go to bed'. When I return I ignore them other than a brief hello. I started with short leaving the room, building it up. Life doesn't stop when you have a puppy. You still need to go out to do the school run, shops, errands and so on.

We have a large pen in the living room. He's never been a destructive pup and luckily has never had separation anxiety. He actually enjoys the peace!

I bought a crate, meaning to leave it open as it was in a pen in our front room. I'd puppy proofed the front room anyway. She wouldn't go in the crate and used to go nuts if shut in the pen, so I ended up just leaving her in the front room.

It's her safe place now and she's never barked or got upset if she's shut in there for any reason. She's just turned one and I still shut her in there when I go out as I've got young children who are forever leaving stuff lying around that they shouldn't!

Depended on the dog. One of mine we used to keep in the kitchen (she once chewed up a dining chair, so was put somewhere with nothing but her own toys to chew). Present dog has never chewed or destroyed anything but will wee on anything static, so she's left in the tiled downstairs rooms.

Kitchen and conservatory. No harm done.

Just to add, I used to leave her for 20 mins during the school run from about 10 weeks. I gradually upped it and she's never had any issues. I bought a puppy cam recently just to check, but as I suspected it's all very boring. She just changes sleeping positions occasionally and noses out the window if she sees a neighbour!

It's definitely worth persevering with the crate - we don't use it now at home as he's no longer destructive and can be trusted without it but it's handy to know that he's happy going in there for if he goes to the vets or if we are staying with family who aren't doggy they tend to prefer he sleeps in a crate