Am I doing enough for my dog before, during and after crating??

Sounds like you are doing the right things. The only other possibility would be to have a dog room in your house. Crating him is better than surgery. It will get better as he gets older.

I agree with Nancy's suggestions...And since you have a camera at the ready, you'd be able to tell if a baby/puppy gate is enough. Perhaps you can borrow someone's for a day, or find a used one on Craigslist so that it's not such an investment (since a larger dog might be inclined to climb over it --whether that day or quite some time from now). Some more busy toys might also be an idea; with the kong, have you tried freezing the treat inside (such as peanut butter or the Kong brand filling)? That could make that particular treat last longer. There are also a great amount of dog puzzles available on the market now. Amazon is a great source for those. Anything that works the brain can be great for stimulation. You can leave multiple items, rotate items, rotate a group of multiple items...Whatever seems right for you as long as it's okay for your dog. From your post though, it sounds like your dog is doing okay (even though they might seem sullen or bored) but it's more regarding how badly you feel for leaving them there. Try taking a look around your living area to see if there's puppy-proofing you can do in a particular contained area that might help with leaving them in a larger space. Otherwise, it will likely come with time. Every dog is different, and so is every situation. I've been working with animals for over 28 years; It sounds to me like you're doing the best you can, keeping tabs on as much as you can, and that your dog is doing okay. It's difficult to see them locked up during the day even for a few hours --and especially with all the access that we have to them now with the newfangled cameras, apps and everything! :-) Just keep thinking baby steps. You'll be alright!

It sounds like you’re doing a marvelous job & really care about your pup’s wellbeing. Those are very difficult circumstances, & you deserve credit for all you ARE doing. They used to have a Kong machine that dispensed a treat filled toy on a programmed schedule, but I can’ t find it for sale anymore. The only other possibility is if you have a small room (e.g., laundry room) that can be TOTALLY puppyproofed, so he might be a little less confined during those few hours he’s alone...a room with absolutely nothing he could chew on or swallow. And maybe a baby gate would be better than a closed door. Even the bathroom might work out. In any case, kudos to you for all you are doing...he’s lucky to have you as his mom. And take heart...he’s still a puppy & things will get better eventually.