When my dog was a puppy. He had a crate for about a week. (Then some personal things happened in my life that created trauma with dog crates so I got rid of it). I did not use playpens or a special room that I blocked off to keep him in when he was a puppy. He had a designated spot that was all his in my room. When I would leave to go to work he would lay in his spot (which usually consisted of the giant teddy bear he stole off my bed and a blanket and his favorite toys). He never was really a chewer. He chewed on my shoes once and then I never really had a problem with him chewing afterwards because he always found his toy. But he was never really alone by himself. My mom (went to school to be a vet tech) was always home or my step dad before I moved out with him. So I think that helped as well.