After reading all of this and talking with friends, next dog we will crate train. Our 14 month old border collie has never been left alone. I am home all the time and when I'm not she comes with me. My daughter is her master and Sassy would do anything to please her. Sassy has problems when my daughter leaves to go to school. That is getting better. My question is now after 14 months I would like to be able to leave her alone at times, but am afraid that I will come back to a mess in the house. She doesn't when I'm home, but don't know how she will react when we are gone.