I have a lab mix, and a jack russell and they both stay in crates while I am away at work. We live in an apartment, so there is no yard for them to run in during the day. I have read in several different places that crates are recommended for dogs while their caretakers are away. Even though it seems cruel to leave them penned up like this, it gives them a feelign of security and keeps them from getting into trouble. I’m pretty sure my dogs just sleep all day and then I take them for a nice long walk when I get home. A word about the bone chewing: I have had two different vets tell me that dogs should not eat bones (especially those white raw hide bones). The pieces do not get digested properly and can get stuck in the dog’s stomach/intestines, causing serious problems. We have switched our dogs to Kong toys, which they are not able to "eat".