My first gsd, many many moons ago, I was not a "crate" fan

)
He had run of the house @ 12 weeks when I got him, and I have to say, he never got into any trouble..The 2nd one, same thing, I was EXTREMELY lucky!!!
The 3rd one, I was crate savvy

),,tho we flunked nite time crating , (she was fine out of the crate at nite anyhow, & I got her at 12 wks)..For a couple of months I did crate her when I left, I didn't want a 12 wk old "bugging" two older males set in their ways.
She however, earned her freedom by the time she was 5mths old and never got into anything..My last male who is now 11, was crated when no one was home again, Iwasn't trusting of 4 gsd's loose in the house

) but also earned his freedom by the time he was also 5mths old..
Right now, I have the one male gsd, one female aussie, they are free in the house, the male aussie who is almost 7, is still crated when no one is home, he's a big time trouble maker, and for everyone's safety, he's better off in a crate..
Depends on the dog, and i have to say I have been extremely lucky, the only thing I've "lost" is a pair of 90$ sneakers, (the aussie

),,and a 10lb tub of dog biscuits,,(the first gsd who was a theif and a pig

)).
diane