I need a few tips on training a young dog to be alone in the house without doing damage. In the past I've always worked with adults (3+ yrs) and they made the switch from crate to house pretty quickly but I've never worked with a yearling. She's (Gossip or Gossy as I sometimes call her) pretty good about not chewing stuff when I'm home and her bouts of activity don't last very long. I can block off the kitchen/dining area but she's a counter surfer and I a little concerned about chewing on the table legs or drawer pulls. I have been going outside and leaving her behind but so far it's only been for very short periods (too cold for me to hang outside for long). Suggestions?
(And yes I no longer have Luny - his separation anxiety was starting to stress me out and was so keyed to having people around that even a dogmate wasn't working so he's back with the breeder looking for home with a retired person)