re: Pet owners question: crate training and leaving dog out to roam

We have a Frenchton, he's a French bulldog/Boston terrier mix. Both breeds are known for being insane chewers. We bought him a crate but he was never really into it. As he grew up we gradually left him alone a little at a time and he was fine. The main thing we were worried about was the chewing. We just started buying him chew toys the day we got him and just provided him lots of attractive alternatives for chewing other than our shoes or the furniture. At this point, he's two years old, still doesn't care for his crate, absolutely owns the couch, and loves his chew toys. The only casualty in two years was a single flip flop that belonged to my fiance.
Give them lots of chew toys.