Should we leave 9 month old bulldog uncrated in house?

Question
Hi
Just have a few questions about our little bullie! She is 9 months old and up until now we have been crating her when we were not in the house and during bed time. She is really good and has peed in the house in the last 4 months. She has not pooped in the house in 6 months - so I think her potty training is going really well. Up until now we have crated her in a fabric crate with zips which has worked really well but we have bought 2 in the last 9 months as after a few months the zips break as she keeps chewing them.... So short of continously buying crates for the rest of her lifetime we have thought of getting a wooden kennel to house her indoors - however the kennel does not have a lockable door... in your opinion do you think that leaving her in her kennel unlocked would be a good idea? We are away from home for about 7 hours (only twice a week) and on those days we have a pet walker that walks her during the day.
Any additional advise would be very welocome.
Thanks

Answer
Avril,

Sounds like you have done a good job house training your bulldog.  I don't think I would give full roam of the house for 7 hours without a testing first.

You could try just leaving her in a room for a few hours that you are gone.  They let her stay alone for a longer period of time.

One problem we have had with our bulldogs is that they get bored and then start chewing.  So you need to leave her in an area that she cannot get into trouble from chewing.  One thing to watch for is electric cords!!!

They make some really nice metal crates.  You get a metal cage that can't be chewed, leave the door open so she can go in and out, but still limit her to one room that has been doggy proofed!!!

Hope this helps,
Christine Puetz