When I moved in with my husband, his doberman was left uncrated during the day and was fine. My basenji had always been crated. But we decided since they were so good together that we'd take a chance and see how things went when we went to the grocery store. We left them uncrated together in the house.
What a mistake.
I actually found my dog INSIDE the sofa going nuts in the fluff. We also found that she had pulled all of the blinds from the windows and shredded them. She had torn a hole in the duvet and also chewed an expensive leather belt.
She obviously does not like being separated from her human pack. And I will never, ever try that again. Sadly. I think it's great that others have had good experiences– but my dog I know is destructive when left alone.
When we are home, she is not destructive in the least though-- not a chewer or a paper-thief. Does not raid trashcans or really even counter-surf. She is an angel so long as we're together.