[downtowndude]

Rita came to me at 1.5 years old. According to my brother, her previous owner, she never got into anything or tore anything up. We had her for months without crating her and without a problem. One night she randomly decided to eat a couch cushion. The bad part is that we were home! In fact, my husband and son were actually in the room with her when she did it. They were at the other end of the room with their backs turned and very involved in what they were doing. Had no idea anything was going on until one of them happened to turn and see her laying on the floor ripping stuffing out. She got crated for months after that. Since it's been so long since she's done anything bad, I reduced her sentence and she now only gets crated when we leave for an extended period of time. Haven't had any problems since.

If you want to give it a try then go for it! Just make sure you dog proof the house first, close the doors of any rooms you don't want her in and maybe tire her out a bit before you go.