Leaving puppies alone

How long do you leave your dogs/puppies at home alone? do they have free run of the house or confined to an area?

I'm just wondering because I feel so bad leaving my 4 month old pup alone in the kitchen for 6 hours while I work. I leave her all her toys and food and water, but she didn't really eat. And she didn't touch her Kong with stuff in it. :( Would she be better if I left her out? i'm not sure we could trust her just yet. Guess we'd have to do some major puppy proofing.

What type of puppy do you have?
We have a tiny puppy, but they make them in all sizes. I've read the books and hired a trainer. I know this sounds cruel, but it's the best for your puppy. You must leaver her in her crate (we call ours Her bedroom) whenever you can't be there w/ her/him. I thought that was awful and said i WOULDN'T DO IT, BUT the trainer pointed out that what's awful is that so many owners feel this way, and their animals get sick, (they chew electrical wires & get in to chemicals).

FM me if you want any other info.

I tried crating but she will 'go' in her crate. She doesn't know you're not supposed to do that (even though all the experts say they won't do it). And yes I made the space smaller so she couldn't avoid the potty... still no use.
The kitchen is puppy proofed so she's ok in there... even though it makes her sad.

Ours is a medium sized dog... beagle/border collie mix. 29 pounds.

She will go in there, you have to put her in there w/o anything. The first few days she went too, then she learned to hold it. I feel so bad doing that to her but our trainer said it was for the best and now she's good w/ it. They kept telling me you have to be persistan and patiet.

Good luck

We leave Missy home for 10 hours a day in the kitchen. At first it was hard because she was into everything and peed and pooped everywhere. We couldn't leave her in the crate because it was too long to leave her in there. And now she is 7 months old and still stays in the kitchen because I still can trust her (at least for 10 hours). She hasnt had an accident in the kitchen for at least 3 months. She thinks of it as her home.

I think the kitchen is fine if you are gonna be out for a long period of time. I definitely wouldnt let her have the run of the house. You will never know what you will come home to. I was told that they adjust to your lifestyle.