Leaving puppy at home alone

[Jenn and Bogey]

Hello! We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our mini ALD puppy, but I'm busy researching and trying to prepare when we will be able to take him/her home in early September. I will be working outside the home twice a week and puppy will be left alone for about 7 hours. We are planning to have a dog walker come in to give a potty break. I think I will have pup set up with the crate inside an exercise pen to give more space. Is this safe or should I just stick to a crate? Also, if I do the exercise pen and crate set up, has anyone used doggie lawn? I'm curious if this is better to use instead of a pee pad or will it be confusing to pee on grass indoors? Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We were home when we got our Doodles, but I have a neighbor who was working full time when she got her mini Doodle and it worked out fine.  She worked at home about half the time, but there were many days when she was in the office for seven or eight hours.  On those days she gave her Doodle a good walk before she left and then had a dog walker mid-day who walked for about 45 minutes if the weather was okay.  The first couple of weeks the walker came in twice a day, but after that once was fine.   I never used pee pads or doggie lawn so I'm not sure.  I would worry a little that it could be confusing and more difficult to housebreak them.

[Jenn and Bogey]

That was what I was worried about. I'll try first without the pads/lawn and see how it goes.

[DJ & Chance]

You must be so excited!

I wouldn't leave the puppy unsupervised in the exercise pen unless it is super sturdy and escape proof. try to find a dog walker who will spend an hour mid-day with your pup so that it has more than a potty break but also some
good exercise and playtime.

[Jenn and Bogey]

Yeah I did read some stories of puppies climbing out of the exercise pen so I think I'll just use it when I'm home.

[Nancy & Echo]

I obviously have no personal experience with an expen, but Midwest does have expen tops.

http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/products/exercise-pens-accessory-tops