[stooker]

We did way back when ours was a pup, but she hasn't had to be in a crate in over 10 years. We still have a crate and she absolutely loves it (to the point she whines to go in it if she sees it out). When any of our friends dogsit her when we are out of town, we give them the crate so they can use it if they so choose. She's good easily 6+ hrs if need be, but our dogsitters rarely ever shut the thing.

I recommend trying to correct the behavior that drives the necessity to crate, or adjust your house set up to allow her some freedom of movement while you are gone. I'd feel really bad if we absolutely had to crate our dog every time we leave the house, til the day she's no longer with us.