My 7 month old puppy

Question
I have a 7 month old aussie mix. He's great but I don't quite trust him at home alone. I'm afraid he would eat something he should, choke or mess in the house. I have a kennel that I put him in but he's too confined. My fiancee and I both have first shift jobs and he has to be put in the kennel. I have run out of people to check in on him and let him out, so eventually he will have to be put in the kennel for about 9 hours til one of us get home. When he is in a room, he tears up the carpet. I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions as to what I could do to make sure I could trust him or that he is not so secluded in his kennel for 9 hour?
Thanks
Jill

Answer
Aussies need a job!!!  These dogs do not fare well crated all day unless they get significant mental and physical exercise when you are home.  The reason he tears up the carpet is either due to boredom, or simply from being in the "second chewing phase" when puppies need to chew things in order to set their secondary teeth into the jaw.  I allow my dogs freedom in the home once they are house trained, are through that chewing stage, and can do the following commands: sit, lie down, wait, leave it, and come.